Catholic Priest in Mozambique Decries Rise in Child Abduction as War Rages on in Northern Province

The children are reportedly forced into transporting looted goods, performing hard labour, and, in some cases, serving as child soldiers. 

The surge in abductions comes amid a resurgence of Islamist attacks that government forces, despite support from regional allies, have struggled to contain. Prolonged conflict, climate shocks, and widespread hunger have deepened the crisis, leaving children increasingly vulnerable to exploitation.

In the August 8 ACN report,  Sr. Aparecida Queiroz from the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus also confirmed that the Catholic Diocese of Pemba was attacked between 20-28 July, with most destruction happening in the districts of Chiúre, Ancuabe, and Muidumbe.

“Attacks were also very intense on 6-7 August, with incidents recorded in the districts of Palma, Meluco and Quissanga,” the Catholic Nun said.

Fr. Fonseca also expressed his fear that the world will forget the conflict, which has been going on for almost eight years.

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“The humanitarian crisis caused by this war tends to be forgotten and silenced,” he said, and added, “This silence bothers us, at a time when thousands upon thousands of our brothers in Cabo Delgado, especially in the region of Chiure, have seen the crisis aggravated by new attacks, their homes burned, their children taken from them.”

Attacks began in 2017, and government attempts to quell them have borne little fruit. The conflict in Cabo Delgado has caused over 6,000 deaths since October 2017 and has displaced over one million people. According to the UN, one million Mozambicans require emergency assistance just to survive.

Fr. Fonseca expressed gratitude to the Catholic Church, which he said is at the forefront in supporting war victims in Mozambique, especially those who have lost everything.

The Priest, who serves in the Catholic Diocese of Pemba, also thanked ACN benefactors for their continuous support to the needy people of God in the embattled region, saying, “Please continue to support the people of Cabo Delgado, and continue to support those who are struggling for peace. We do not want war. We want peace. Mozambique needs peace.”

Meanwhile, Ulrich Kny, ACN’s Head of Projects for Mozambique, expressed solidarity with the people of Mozambique, highlighting some of the ongoing projects to support the war victims.

“I deeply regret that our brothers and sisters in Mozambique are facing yet another wave of attacks. We pray for all the victims,” Kny said, adding that ACN has been supporting the Diocese of Pemba through the provision of psychosocial support to victims of terrorism.

ACN has also provided aid in terms of the construction of dozens of houses and community centres, and the donation of vehicles for missionaries who work with the displaced people.

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.