Mozambique: Christians fleeing terror “only bring what they can carry”

The Bishop of Pemba in Mozambique says that jihadist insurgency in the country is worse than ever – and may get worse still.

Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop António Juliasse of the Diocese of Pemba in northern Mozambique, paints a frightening picture of the region, which is suffering at the hands of a group affiliated with ISIS. There have also been reports of terrorists raiding at least 12 communities, causing the population to flee en masse to the larger cities, which offer relative safety.

“About a dozen villages, some of them heavily populated, saw the destruction of houses and institutions. In those villages, all the Christian chapels were destroyed. The high point until now was the attack on Mazeze, in the administrative posts of the district of Chiúre, where many state-owned public and social infrastructures were destroyed. And our mission, which provided so much support in the region, was, too,” said the bishop.

For now, the main concern has been finding shelter and support for the internally displaced. “They are fleeing villages that are reduced to ashes, and those whose villages might be next are also running. The only thing they are sure of is the starting point…They are searching for a safe place; I don’t know where they will find it. Perhaps they will have to settle for the least unsafe.”

But the bishop fears that the worst is still to come. “Our people carry only what they can, in a bundle on their heads, or on the family bicycle. That’s all they have left. Hunger, thirst, and disease will soon follow,” the bishop said, giving the sad example of Tina, the niece of a diocesan worker. “She also ran. All she brought with her was her newborn baby. Afflicted by the heat and dust, she drank some water that she found, but got diarrhea and started vomiting, and later died. The baby was left without a mother.”

Pope’s healing words

Christians are a minority in northern Mozambique, but they have historically gotten along with Muslims. In 2017, however, an insurgency began, which first targeted civilian and state-owned institutions, but now produces cases of anti-Christian persecution, like the selective killing of Christian villagers and the murder of an Italian nun. The most recent figures, which are clearly outdated, report more than one million internally displaced and five thousand killed.

The goal of the terrorists is not entirely clear, but as their methods become more brutal, and their reach increases, the greatest danger for the population is inaction. “Their greatest risk is to become forgotten faces, drowned out by the other wars in the world,” Bishop António said. “We cannot just sit by and do nothing.”

The Church is standing by the victims and has been involved in conflict mediation. Bishop António has asked all missionaries to accompany the populations as they leave and cater to their needs.

The bishop is also very grateful to Pope Francis, who has mentioned the situation publicly. “His words had a healing effect on us and gave immediate relief and comfort. We accept his invitation to pray for the end of all wars, everywhere.”

ACN has several projects in northern Mozambique, including the provision of pastoral, psychological, and social support to the populations affected by terrorism; aid in the form of construction material for houses and community centers; and the purchasing of vehicles for missionaries working with displaced people.

–Filipe d’Avillez