First published as part of the Cabo Ligado Monthly: February 2024
Cabo Ligado
February was most notable for Islamic State Mozambique’s (ISM) push south to Chiúre district and a significant victory for the group in Macomia district. ISM was active in Chiure between 9 and 28 February, with at least one group moving north to Ancuabe district in the back half of the month, presumably returning to camps in Macomia district. While the Rwandan Security Forces (RSF) were deployed to Chiure from their Ancuabe base to the north, ACLED records just one clash between ISM and state forces in Chiúre district during the month, and one clash with the unarmed Naparama militia.
In Macomia district on 9 February, ISM overran a Defense Armed Forces of Mozambique (FADM) base at Mucojo village on the Macomia coast. This was the third time control of the village has changed hands since 20 January. ISM killed at least 20 in the attack. FADM has not returned to the village, thereby effectively ceding control of Mucojo and surrounding areas to ISM.
Islamic State (IS) media channels gave significant coverage to events in Mozambique, through incident claims, photo reports, and coverage in its al-Naba weekly newsletter, and related audio reports.
Vital Stats
- ACLED records 24 political violence events in Cabo Delgado in February, resulting in at least 44 reported fatalities.
- Seventeen of the political events were incidents targeting civilians, 15 of which were committed by ISM
- Events were mostly concentrated in Chiúre district in the south, where ACLED records 11 political violence events
Vital Trends
- ISM killed 20 members of FDS in one incident, the greatest number of state forces fatalities since March 2021
- In events targeting civilians, ISM killed at least 15 civilians, five times as many as those killed by FDS.
- ISM remained active in Macomia district and Meluco districts, particularly along the N380 highway
