As Islamist attacks continue to terrorize the northern district of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique, the Church continues to do all it can to help the local people.
The Christian population of Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, is suffering greatly from terrorist attacks carried out as part of an Islamist insurgency.
According to a message sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) by Passionist missionary Fr Kwiriwi Fonseca, the terrorists have intensified their strikes, causing a new wave of internally displaced.
“Over the past days there have been attacks in the region of Ancuabe, with the terrorists moving from the centre to the north,” says Fr Kwiriwi. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, almost 15,000 people had fled from their homes by mid-April because of the violence.
“All the newly displaced mentioned having fled because of direct attacks on their villages, involving looting, arson, kidnappings and selective murders,” the priest explains.
Fr Kwiriwi says that there are indications that “many Christians are suffering. Some chapels have also been burned, as have their houses. The social projects no longer work, and the people are in despair.”
“The Diocese of Pemba, through the local Caritas, has been doing all it can, but we need to denounce this violence, because the people cannot continue to be punished in this way. The misery in Cabo Delgado cannot be overcome through the efforts of the diocese alone, which continues to rely on outside resources that arrive through Caritas. The Diocese of Pemba needs help, Caritas needs help, so that the people can have food and shelter. We are not asking only for your support, but also for your prayers and intervention, so that the people may finally have peace.”
The insurgency in northern Mozambique began in 2017 when terrorists loyal to the Islamic State began a campaign of violence that has led to the deaths of over 5,000 people and around one million internally displaced. ACN has been helping the Diocese of Pemba throughout the conflict, especially through emergency aid for the displaced.
By Paulo Aido.
