Over One Million Displaced Amid Ongoing Islamic State Insurgency in Mozambique
Since July 2025, more than 300,000 people have been displaced by the Islamic State insurgency in Mozambique, bringing the total number of displaced individuals to over one million, many of whom have been forced to relocate between two and four times.
By the end of November, displacement had surpassed 350,000, a significant increase from 240,000 the previous year, as violence against civilians has intensified throughout 2025.
The insurgency in Cabo Delgado, associated with Islamic State-Mozambique, has been ongoing since October 2017. A notable attack in Palma in March 2021 resulted in more than 600 deaths.
Rwanda’s military presence has increased from 1,000 troops in July 2021 to an estimated 4,000–5,000 personnel, working alongside Mozambican forces; however, the insurgency remains unresolved.
This year alone, there have been 549 deaths across 302 attacks, with 290 of those deaths being civilians—a 56% increase from the previous year. Since the insurgency began in 2017, approximately 2,800 civilians have been killed, with 80% of fatalities attributed to Islamic State militants and about 9% to Mozambican forces.
Humanitarian aid for 2025 totals roughly $195 million, meeting about 55% of the estimated need, which is down from $246 million the previous year.
Human Rights Watch reports a rise in kidnappings of children for forced labour, marriage, or fighting. The displacement crisis heightens the risk of sexual violence and exploitation, with 70,000 of the 100,000 displaced in November being children.
President Daniel Chapo has called for dialogue with insurgents; however, skepticism persists regarding the prospects for peace amid ongoing military efforts and the protection of a $20 billion LNG project led by Total.
