Last Friday, militants in northern Mozambique killed a gathering of at least 11 Christians. Fra Boaventura, a missionary of the Poor Brothers of Jesus Christ in the area, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACS) that the killings happened in the community of Naquitengue, close to Mocimboa da Praia, in the province of Cabo Delgado. Islamic jihadists have been attacking the region since 2017.
The terrorists reportedly descended onto Naquitengue in the early afternoon and summoned the whole populace, according to Brother Boaventura. They then went ahead and divided the group into Christians and Muslims, ostensibly based on names and ethnicity.
The Christians were shot at when they began fire. A local organization allied with the so-called Islamic State made the attack claim in a statement. Although the terrorists claimed to have killed 11 Christians, there may have really been more casualties and there were also some critical injuries.
According to Fra Boaventura, this is not the first time that this approach has been used. As a result, the neighborhood was gripped by widespread terror. The attacks happened as many people were starting to return to their towns, which raised tension and created a sense of unease. We need to offer prayers for our suffering brethren.
An estimated one million people have been internally displaced as a result of the attacks in Cabo Delgado and the adjacent province of Niassa, according to António Juliasse, the bishop of Pemba. Another 5,000 people have been brutally murdered.
