Non-international armed conflict in Mozambique

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Since 2024, ISM has increasingly employed IEDs as a means of warfare. Although these munitions were largely intended to target military personnel, civilians were also harmed due to their all-too-often indiscriminate effects. This pattern continued into 2025, when IEDs reportedly placed by ISM caused injuries to civilians, including children, and resulted in a civilian death.

Aerial Bombardment

In August 2024, the Rwandan Security Forces (RSF) turned to combat helicopters against ISM forces, significantly increasing the risk of incidental civilian casualties. Reports described Mucojo as in ashes after intense and repeated air attacks, prompting civilians to seek refuge in Macomia town and raising concerns over respect for the IHL rules on distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack.

Acute Food Insecurity and Malnutrition

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), between October 2024 and March 2025, 4.9 million people across Mozambique faced high levels of acute food insecurity, at or above crisis level. UNICEF reported a sharp rise in severe acute malnutrition in March and April 2025, with more than 5,000 children admitted for treatment in March alone, the highest in recent years and significantly above the five-year average.

Hostilities with ISM have led to greatly increased internal displacement. Violence by ISM against Christian communities has led them to flee during and following attacks. Despite recorded returns, in May 2025 more than 700,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were reported in Mozambique, mostly in the north. Tensions with host communities worsened and, on occasion, Local Forces militia were instructed by local authorities to repel IDPs by force. IDPs who have returned home face renewed insecurity and little to no assistance. Many people have been displaced multiple times and urgently need food, water, and shelter.

Attacks against Health Facilities

The armed conflict in Cabo Delgado province has severely degraded health infrastructure, which under IHL should be respected and protected in all circumstances. In Macomia district, only one out of seven pre-conflict health centres remained operational by July 2025, and it was overwhelmed by population needs and the influx of displaced people. Medical organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), halted or suspended activities following attacks by ISM in May 2024, gradually resuming in April 2025. Similar fragility affected the health system in three other districts (Mocímboa da Praia, Mueda and Palma): more than half of the health facilities in Cabo Delgado province were completely or partially destroyed, while outreach was repeatedly suspended due to insecurity.

Attacks on Humanitarian Aid

ISM has regularly targeted and looted aid supplies. As humanitarian operations were disrupted, including through temporary movement halts, increased threats prompted the suspension of food distributions as well as staff relocation. At times, local communities, frustrated by what they perceive as poor aid distribution, have also assailed humanitarian relief and looted supplies, highlighting rising tensions around the delivery of assistance.

Obstruction of Humanitarian Relief

The Mozambican government has increasingly hindered humanitarian delivery through administrative barriers. In 2025, movement restrictions intensified as both ISM and security forces established additional military checkpoints in Cabo Delgado, further restricting movement and delaying aid deliveries. To the extent that such an exercise of the right of control renders the delivery of relief supplies impossible, these behaviours breach the obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.

Attacks on Mines

ISM has launched multiple attacks on mining operations across the province. In early April 2025, the group targeted artisanal gold mining in Ancuabe, occupying the site for several days. These attacks appear to be part of ISM’s funding strategy, particularly as financial support from Al-Shabaab in Somalia has decreased.

Attacks on Commercial Shipping

An attack on a foreign commercial ship, apparently mounted by ISM, occurred in May 2025. Although the attack failed, as the vessel and crew escaped into deeper waters, and while the rebels had previously targeted fishermen, this marked the first known attack on a foreign-flagged vessel.

The conflict in Cabo Delgado has featured pervasive sexual and gender-based violence. ISM has repeatedly perpetrated sexual violence, including abductions of girls as young as 12, rape, early pregnancy, forced marriage and the sale of women between fighters. Allegations of past abuses by security forces, including torture, killings and sexual violence, have also been reported, but accountability for earlier violations remains a serious challenge. 558,000 people needing urgent response services were recorded in 2024.

Child recruitment

The recruitment of children in armed forces and groups and their use in hostilities are among the most severe protection risks in Mozambique. ISM continued to recruit and use children as fighters and conducted preaching in village schools. A surge in child abduction and recruitment was recorded in Cabo Delgado province, where, according to reports, ISM tends to abduct children when entering or attacking certain areas. Once taken, children are forced into combat, labour or early marriage.

The number of people living with disabilities in Cabo Delgado is unknown but likely very high given the scale of conflict and limited medical and rehabilitative services. The increased use of IEDs is expected to cause more traumatic lower limb amputations. Persons with disabilities face a particularly difficult future, with their specific protection needs not taken into account.