Communities in the administrative post of Mandela, in the district of Muidumbe, Cabo Delgado province, have reported the looting of agricultural products by armed groups associated with the insurgency, in an action that is undermining food security for dozens of families who were trying to rebuild their livelihoods, the Lusa news agency reported.
According to the agency, the attacks occurred last Sunday (31st) in farming areas along the Messalo River, specifically in the Nova Família camp, about 60 kilometres from the district headquarters of Muidumbe. According to residents’ accounts, the attackers took maize and beans stored in community granaries.
“Unfortunately, the terrorists passed through our farms and took the maize and beans that were stored. That was the production that would have allowed us to support our families in the coming months,” said one of the affected farmers.
In addition to looting crops, the insurgents destroyed about two hectares of tobacco plantations in the growing stage, causing further losses to local farmers. “They destroyed everything along the banks of the Messalo. After everything we have been through, this production was our hope to start over,” another resident lamented.
Fear of new attacks has led several families to leave the farming areas and seek refuge in the district headquarters of Muidumbe, increasing pressure on communities already affected by years of conflict and forced displacement.
The destruction of agricultural crops comes at a time when many displaced populations were trying to resume farming activities to ensure their survival. However, persistent insecurity continues to undermine economic and social recovery efforts in the region.
Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed insurgency since October 2017, a conflict that has already caused more than one million displaced people and thousands of victims. Recent data from the conflict monitoring organisation ACLED indicates that between 4 and 17 May, ten violent incidents were recorded in the province, nine of which were attributed to groups linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State, resulting in 26 deaths.
According to the same organisation, the conflict has already caused around 6,570 deaths since its beginning, highlighting that despite military gains in recent years, the insurgent threat continues to affect security, agricultural production, and livelihoods in northern Mozambique.
