International observers are raising alarms about a wave of violence against Christians in central and southern Africa, particularly in Mozambique, where ISIS-aligned groups have been reportedly beheading Christians and destroying churches and homes. The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), a counter-terrorism organization, describes this as a “silent genocide” targeting Christians. Recently, the Islamic State Mozambique Province (ISMP) released photographs documenting assaults on “Christian villages” in Cabo Delgado province, showcasing the beheadings of civilians and the destruction of properties. According to MEMRI, these images epitomize an escalating campaign against Christian communities, and the situation is alarming enough that it has drawn comparisons to genocide.
Alberto Miguel Fernandez, MEMRI’s Vice President, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the ongoing conflict could result in jihadist groups taking over entire countries in Africa, which poses a significant risk not only to the local populace—Christians and Muslims alike—but also to international security, including the United States. The callous operations of these groups include selective killings and threats that push Muslims to join their cause under duress, while Christians become prime targets. As the violence continues, the United Nations reports that unprecedented levels of displacement have occurred in affected regions, with attacks causing more than 46,000 people to flee in just eight days.
The U.N. migration agency estimates that a significant portion of those displaced are children. While the U.N. has acknowledged the rise in violence, its reports have been criticized for lacking specific details regarding casualties and the direct targeting of Christians. Fernandez argues that the U.N.’s failure to confront the underlying anti-Christian hatred evident in these attacks is a significant omission. Reports indicate that Islamic State-linked fighters have committed further atrocities, including the beheading of several Christians and the slaughter of others during attacks on villages, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
For over eight years, Mozambique has grappled with an insurgency by Islamic State-affiliated militants, leading to severe ramifications including the displacement of over a million people. The Rwandan military has been involved in combatting these groups, but the brutal tactics employed—such as beheadings and the kidnapping of children—continue unabated. The violence in Cabo Delgado comes amidst other humanitarian crises, such as droughts and cyclones, complicating the region’s ability to respond effectively to the needs of its population, particularly in displacement camps.
Fernandez noted that global attention has often skewed toward Middle Eastern conflicts, resulting in the African crises receiving less focus. He referenced efforts during the Trump administration to bolster international security in the region, including brokering peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, he pointed out that jihadist ideologies are persistently spreading to weaker regions in Africa, with their resurgence posing similar threats to those seen when ISIS held vast territories in Iraq and Syria.
The humanitarian aid response to the crisis has been initiated by organizations like Doctors Without Borders, which are working to assist the large number of displaced individuals living in makeshift camps. Meanwhile, Cabo Delgado’s vast offshore natural gas reserves remain under threat from the ongoing insurgency, as projects like the multi-billion-dollar extraction effort by TotalEnergies have been put on hold. Concurrently, reports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo indicate the involvement of other jihadist groups, such as the Allied Democratic Forces, which have also targeted villages and aimed to establish an Islamic caliphate, thus highlighting the broader scope of this escalating violence across the region.
