Exclusive | Implications of the growing activity of ISIS in Mozambique

and weak regions that have become vulnerable due to political factors.

This led to the collapse or weakening of official state institutions,

allowing for the existence of parallel entities.

This is clearly evident in many African countries where major armed groups

such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and their affiliated organizations are active.

Such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, al-Shabaab, Boko Haram,

the Islamic Fighting Group, and others.

Among the countries suffering from this crisis is Mozambique,

which was mainly dependent on foreign funding.

This is despite the country’s wealth in raw materials and untapped labor.

It is a fertile environment that serves as a breeding ground for armed groups.

Mozambique was one of the countries most affected

by the collapse of the USAID program.

Which contributed significantly to many development and service projects in the country,

Which also worked to support poor communities and combat the causes

of extremism by providing food, health care and job opportunities.

Growing terrorist activity

Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique has witnessed

a new wave of attacks by the Islamic State group.

After the suspension of US aid programs led to a significant vacuum

that the extremist group exploited to expand its influence in coastal areas,

Especially the city of Mocímboa da Praia,

which was a former stronghold of the organization.

In recent months, ISIS militants have stormed

a number of coastal villages in Mozambique,

They forced residents to attend propaganda speeches inside mosques.

Raising the organization’s flags without fear or attempting to hide their identities,

amid what residents described as a “return of excessive confidence” among the fighters.

Field reports indicate that USAID programs have collapsed –

following a decision by US President Donald Trump last January –

This led to the cessation of vital projects that were being worked on,

which in turn led to the growth of this phenomenon.

Effects of the development gap

Reports from international organizations show that 79% of ISIS’s global activity this year was in Africa.

Mozambique alone saw a new peak in October,

accounting for 11% of the organization’s violent operations globally.

Former USAID officials reported that the “developmental vacuum”

created by the funding cutoff created an ideal environment

for the re-recruitment of young people.

Especially among fishermen and motorcyclists,

groups that had benefited from training

and support programs that have suddenly shrunk.

The recent attacks have caused the displacement of approximately 100,000 people.

Meanwhile, hospitals are suffering from a severe shortage

of medicines following the cessation of US support.

International organizations have also been forced to drastically

reduce their operations due to the funding gap.

The UN’s 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan received only 20% of its needs.

These developments come at a time when global energy companies,

such as Total Energies and ExxonMobil, are looking to

To resume the massive gas projects in the “Afongi” region,

This is despite the growing threats from ISIS,

which has targeted nearby sites in previous years.