At least 120 children have been kidnapped in recent days in northern Mozambique, Human Rights Watch reported on Tuesday, warning of a sharp rise in abductions in the country’s conflict-affected Cabo Delgado province.
The children are reportedly being used by an armed group active in the region to carry stolen goods, perform forced labor, and, in some cases, serve as fighters or be forced into marriage. The group has been involved in attacks across the province for several years.
Mozambique has been battling the insurgency in Cabo Delgado since 2017. Despite military assistance from regional partners including Rwanda and South Africa, government forces have faced persistent challenges in regaining control and protecting civilians.
In 2020, the group was responsible for a wave of brutal assaults in which dozens of people, including children, were beheaded. Eyewitnesses say some of the abducted children were later seen participating in attacks, suggesting they had been forced into combat roles.
The conflict has displaced more than 600,000 people, according to the United Nations, and violence has spread into neighboring provinces. Many families have been forced to flee multiple times, with limited access to food, shelter, and healthcare.
Human Rights Watch noted a resurgence of attacks and child abductions over the past two months and urged the Mozambican government to strengthen efforts to locate the missing children and prevent further kidnappings.
The deteriorating security situation in Cabo Delgado has unfolded alongside other national challenges, including the deadly post-election protests of last year. Meanwhile, several powerful cyclones have struck the region in recent years, further destabilizing communities already affected by violence and displacement. Foreign aid to Mozambique has also declined, following cuts made during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, visited Cabo Delgado this month and described the humanitarian situation in northern Mozambique as a neglected emergency.
“Climate shocks, increasing violence and spiralling hunger are having a terrible impact on the population,” Egeland said.
According to the NRC, more than five million people across Mozambique are currently facing severe food insecurity, with over 900,000 in conditions classified as emergencies. Humanitarian agencies continue to call for urgent international support to address the growing crisis.