Forgotten Crisis: Child Abductions and Violence Surge in Northern Mozambique

In northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, at least 120 children have been kidnapped in recent days by jihadist insurgents, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). These abductions are part of a disturbing trend that has intensified over the past two months, signaling a rise in violent activity by insurgent groups. The armed militants, reportedly linked to the Islamic State and locally referred to as al-Shabab, are increasingly targeting children as tools in their brutal campaign.

The kidnapped children are believed to be used for a range of purposes that violate their fundamental rights. Reports suggest that some of these children are forced to transport stolen goods, perform hard labor, or even become fighters for the group. Others are coerced into marriage, exposing them to further abuse and exploitation. This deliberate use of children in armed conflict highlights the growing humanitarian crisis engulfing northern Mozambique.

Mozambique has struggled to suppress the Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado since the conflict erupted in 2017. Despite military assistance from countries like Rwanda and South Africa, the Mozambican government has failed to fully contain the violence. Insurgents continue to launch attacks on villages, creating instability and forcing thousands to flee their homes. Witnesses have reported that children taken from their communities are later seen participating in assaults.

The violence has already displaced over 600,000 people and continues to spill into neighboring provinces. HRW has expressed concern over the renewed wave of attacks and urged the government to take stronger action to rescue abducted children and prevent further kidnappings. International observers warn that without urgent intervention, the situation will deteriorate even further, putting more children and families at risk.

Jan Egeland, the secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), recently visited the region and labeled the situation as a neglected crisis. He noted that a combination of climate disasters, escalating conflict, and food insecurity is devastating the population. Cyclones have compounded the already fragile living conditions, adding to the suffering caused by years of ongoing violence and instability in the region.

The NRC reports that more than five million people in Mozambique now face critical levels of hunger, with over 900,000 in emergency-level conditions. These figures point to an urgent need for humanitarian assistance, yet the crisis has received limited international attention. Political unrest following last year’s elections and reductions in foreign aid—particularly under former U.S. President Donald Trump—have left Cabo Delgado more vulnerable than ever.

While the spotlight remains elsewhere, the people of northern Mozambique endure unimaginable hardships daily. Children are the most affected, caught between war, poverty, and natural disasters. Human Rights Watch and aid organizations are calling for immediate global support and stronger government commitment to protect vulnerable communities. The world must not turn a blind eye to this worsening crisis.