The Mozambican navy is accused of indiscriminate killings and captures of individuals found fishing off the coast of northern Cabo Delgado province, according to multiple sources. The alleged actions, attributed to Mozambican marines possibly trained by the European Union's military training mission, involve attacks from boats displaying the Mozambican flag and the word 'Moçambique.' The victims are suspected of belonging to the Islamic State-backed insurgency in Cabo Delgado, leading to a halt in fishing activity in the region.
President Filipe Nyusi acknowledged offshore operations in the area, aiming to occupy strategic positions and control the coastline. Reports of human rights abuses coincide with allegations of civilian arrests and beatings by the Mozambican military in and around Mucojo. The Mozambican military denies the accusations, calling them "disinformation."
The European Union's External Action Service, overseeing the EU training mission in Mozambique, did not provide comment. The reported attacks began in late December, with incidents of killings and captures escalating along the coast. Recent events include the killing of 12 people on a fishing boat near Quilufa island and the most recent attack on two fishing boats off the coast of Pangane, where 32 people were stopped, questioned, and one individual was kicked overboard. The situation has disrupted commerce and led to losses in the fishing industry, affecting local communities and creating fear among fishermen.