Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an urgent investigation into an incident in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, in which military forces are suspected of opening fire on local fishermen, killing 13 people.
“The Mozambican authorities must investigate the incident urgently and impartially, hold those responsible accountable, and provide adequate and immediate compensation to the victims or their families,” HRW stated in a press release.
According to HRW, the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, citing security concerns related to the ongoing armed conflict in the region, imposed restrictions on coastal movement and fishing in parts of Mocímboa da Praia and neighboring Macomia.
“The government claims the measures are intended to limit the movement of non-state armed groups along the coast, but they have also significantly affected communities dependent on fishing for their livelihoods,” the statement adds.
Read more: Mozambique reduces tuberculosis deaths, but disease still kills 14k a year
Sheila Nhancale, HRW’s researcher in Mozambique, said that naval forces “fired on subsistence fishermen fishing in restricted waters due to economic necessity.” HRW urged Mozambique’s international partners to pressure the government to ensure a credible and transparent investigation, promote accountability, and adopt measures to prevent such abuses from recurring.
Several local residents reportedly told HRW that, despite the restrictions, many fishermen continue to go to sea out of economic necessity.
The Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) have denied involvement in the deaths, claiming the perpetrators were insurgents disguised in military uniforms. According to the Mozambican Navy, explanations were given on March 25 during a meeting with local community leaders in Milamba and Nabubuci on Calunga Island.
“The attack was carried out by insurgents wearing military uniforms to impersonate government forces,” the Navy stated, adding that the meeting also included representatives from the Mozambican Police and the Rwandan Defense Force, highlighting regional cooperation against terrorism.
Read more: Mozambique: UNICEF distributes 5k water purifiers to flood victims
FADM reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the population and warned against the spread of disinformation.
Cabo Delgado, rich in natural gas, has been the target of extremist attacks since October 5, 2017, when the first attack occurred in Mocímboa da Praia. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) estimates that in the last two weeks, two violent events occurred, one involving Islamic State-affiliated extremists, which resulted in the 13 deaths among local fishermen. Since 2017, the insurgency has claimed 6,515 lives.
ACLED data from March 9 to 22 indicate that of 2,342 violent events recorded since October 2017, 2,172 involved elements linked to the Islamic State of Mozambique (EIM). The attacks have cumulatively caused 6,515 deaths over eight and a half years, including the recent 13 victims reportedly killed by military fire, as previously reported by Lusa.
The report notes: “A Mozambican Navy FADM patrol fired on six fishing boats off Mocímboa da Praia on March 15, killing at least 13 people. This incident continues a pattern of FADM attacks on civilian vessels in Cabo Delgado’s coastal waters, which has increased significantly since 2024.”
