The war in Cabo Delgado is now in its fourth year. The human suffering has been incalculable, with currently over 750 000 persons displaced, and many
The war in Cabo Delgado is now in its fourth year. The human suffering has been
incalculable, with currently over 750 000 persons displaced, and many thousands
killed. The international community has repeatedly been shocked by reports of
extreme brutality.
The situation on the ground is becoming increasingly complex, with the entry of
military personnel from at least seven countries – some in a training capacity, others
as “boots on the ground”.
Analysts and commentators, both within Mozambique and abroad, point out the
complexity of factors fueling the conflict. Nevertheless, the mainstream media has
consistently focused almost exclusively on the Islamic angle – that this is a religious
war, with the insurgents intending to establish a Caliphate in Northern Mozambique.
This point of view is not shared by many in Mozambique. Furthermore, there is a
persistent and widely held belief amongst the displaced themselves that the real
reason for the war is to drive them off their land, to give access to prospectors and
mining companies. This report gives a voice to those directly affected by the conflict
– a voice that is almost never heard in the global corridors of power.
It is clear that there can be no solution until the true causes of the conflict are
addressed. The report explores the contributing factors – from the “hidden debt”
scandal that preceded the conflict, effectively bankrupting the Mozambican state, to
issues relating to land tenure and the granting of mining and prospecting
concessions. The report exposes those who are profiteering from the ongoing
conflict. In the past, the Mozambican government rejected the idea of dialogue and
negotiations with the insurgents, saying that they were dealing with a “faceless
enemy”. The report puts faces and names to the insurgency leaders, thereby
hopefully contributing to the momentum for a non-military, negotiated solution.
The report comes at a critical crossroads in the conflict – with the entry of SADC and
Rwandan troops. It is hoped that it will contribute to a greater global understanding
of the situation, and to a sustained peace, whereby the people of Cabo Delgado will
be able to live productive lives, benefiting from the enormous wealth of their region.
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