Venâncio Lucas, 26, had to flee his village devastated by armed groups in northern Mozambique and there was only time to bury the two brothers murdered in the attack.
“We fled to the bush. When we returned to the village, I met my two brothers, twins, 20 years old, who died in that attack and that I buried ”, in an episode that marked his departure.
It was on September 23, 2019, the date on which 15 Mbau people were murdered by armed groups that have terrorized the province of Cabo Delgado since October 2017 and whose attacks the jihadist group Islamic State began to associate with today. year.
Analysts are divided over the group’s connection to what is happening on the ground – between media opportunism and real intervention – but a year after the first claim, the description made by the Mozambican government and international authorities changed the classification of armed violence. in Cabo Delgado as a major terrorist threat.
It is estimated that more than 600 people have already died and that there are about 200,000 people affected, either because they have lost their property or because they are fleeing to safe areas, without always knowing where the next meal will come from.
The wave of displaced persons has increased since March, reflecting the intensification of attacks and confrontations between terrorist groups and Mozambican defense and security forces.
Jacinta Mohamede, 22, fled Muidumbe on April 7 with her husband and son, forced to live in the bush for five days.
In Pemba, the problem is another: “We have no food. At home we cultivated to be able to eat and here we can only eat through help ”.
