Terrorism in Mozambique funded by illegal rosewood trade with China

Mozambique is facing a significant crisis as timber smuggling from its ancient forests to China has become a critical factor in fueling organized crime and an Islamist insurgency, especially in the Cabo Delgado province. This area, rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and precious stones, has been under siege since 2017, with the Ansar terrorists perpetrating numerous violent attacks that include massacres, beheadings, and the destruction of homes. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) states that Cabo Delgado is particularly vulnerable to criminal activities due to a combination of factors including weak law enforcement, widespread poverty, established trafficking routes, and corrupt officials. As a result, the illicit timber trade has flourished, providing a financial lifeline for terrorist organizations. Recent reports indicate that the illegal timber trade, particularly the smuggling of rosewood, has allowed terrorist groups to raise substantial funds. According to Mozambique government spokesperson Filimão Suaze, the Ansar terrorist group has been profiting by an estimated $2 million every month from the illicit rosewood exports directed towards China. The dynamics of this trade can be traced back to the broader demand for rosewood in China, where the wood is highly prized for crafting elaborate reproductions of Ming Dynasty furniture. Despite Mozambique's ban on log exports enacted in 2017, Chinese importers continue to acquire vast quantities of logs, with estimates suggesting that China accounts for more than 90 percent of Mozambique's endangered timber imports. The EIA's investigations revealed that significant quantities of rosewood, including a specific kind called pau preto, have been shipped from Mozambique to China. Between October 2023 and March 2024, approximately 300 containers weighing around 10,000 metric tons and valued at over $18 million were exported illegally. This smuggling operation highlights both the scale of environmental degradation occurring in the region and the collusion between traffickers and corrupt state actors. It also points towards a detrimental cycle where illegal logging serves not only to decimate Mozambique’s forests, but also to support militant violence that targets local communities. Environmental groups are sounding the alarm over the destructive impact of illegal logging on Mozambique's forests, citing that more than 4 million hectares of forest cover have been lost in the past two decades due to such activities. The EIA’s report emphasizes that the exploitation of natural resources in the face of systemic corruption and poor governance underscores a broader environmental and humanitarian crisis, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of local populations. Without effective intervention and greater enforcement of environmental regulations, the cycle of violence and exploitation is likely to persist, further destabilizing the region and undermining conservation efforts.