Islamic insurgents abduct 120 children in northern Mozambique

In Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province, a region facing ongoing violence from Islamist insurgents, reports indicate that over 120 children have been kidnapped in recent days. This alarming surge in abductions has been attributed to an Islamic State-linked group known locally as al-Shabab, which exploits these children for various purposes, including transporting looted goods, forced labor, and, sadly, serving as child soldiers or being coerced into marriage. The Mozambique government has been grappling with this insurgency since 2017, struggling to contain the violence amidst significant humanitarian crises. The situation in Cabo Delgado has deteriorated sharply recently, with Human Rights Watch warning of a resurgence in child kidnappings, spurring urgent calls for the government to intensify efforts in locating the abducted children and preventing further incidents. The humanitarian impact has been severe, with reports stating that the violence and kidnappings have forced over 600,000 individuals from their homes, leading to significant population displacement. International assistance has been limited, with the Mozambique government receiving military support from regional partners like Rwanda and South Africa. However, the country's struggles have not attracted sufficient global attention, overshadowed as they are by various other crises. The devastation wrought by the insurgents included a series of gruesome attacks in 2020, during which multiple victims, including children, were beheaded. Witness accounts suggest that young abductees are often coerced into using their combat skills against their community, as they are sent back to villages as fighters. In addition to violence and kidnappings, Cabo Delgado has been significantly affected by environmental challenges, including climate shocks like cyclones, which have worsened living conditions for the local population. The Norwegian Refugee Council’s Secretary General, Jan Egeland, labeled the plight of this region as a neglected crisis. With more than 5 million people reportedly facing critical levels of hunger and approximately 900,000 in emergency hunger conditions, the overall humanitarian situation, exacerbated by rising violence, remains dire. The international community’s response, particularly funding and aid to address these pressing issues, remains critical. However, lack of media attention has limited the potential for intervention, leaving the community in Cabo Delgado to grapple with the compounded threats of violence, environmental turmoil, and escalating hunger. Addressing the plight of children abducted by insurgents is essential not only for their immediate safety but also for the long-term stability of the region, which is at a crossroads of humanitarian crises and ongoing insurgency.