Background

Following disputed election results in October 2024, Daniel Chapo was sworn in as president on 15 January 2025. Unrest related to the elections led to nationwide protests that were violently repressed by police, which by the end of January 2025 had left at least 277 people dead. Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane rejected the results.

Violations of international humanitarian law

The armed conflict in Cabo Delgado province between the Mozambique Defence and Security Forces (FDS), with its allies, and the armed group Al-Shabaab spread to Nampula province in November. The conflict resulted in scores of civilian deaths, mainly in Cabo Delgado. Both parties were responsible for killing civilians, destruction of civilian property and the displacement of more than 330,000 people.

Armed groups

Al-Shabaab carried out dozens of attacks on civilians, killing scores of people, taking dozens hostage, destroying scores of homes and causing mass displacement.

Between 23 January and 4 March, at least 11 children were among those taken hostage in the villages of Mumu and Chibau, Mocímboa da Praia district. Four of the children from Chibau were returned soon afterwards. Also in March, in the same district, an attack killed three people between the villages of Chinda and Mbau. Three others were killed in Xitaxi village in Muidumbe district, while 70 homes were burned down and one man was killed in Meluco district.

In April, a teacher was killed by beheading in Ntotwe village, Mocímboa da Praia district. Several people were reportedly taken hostage after fighters set fire to homes in Namoro village, Montepuez district. An attack on Muaja village, Ancuabe district, led to the mass displacement of many of its inhabitants, most of them women.

On 11 May, three girls were killed and eight other children were taken hostage in an attack on Magaia village, Muidumbe district. Their whereabouts remained undisclosed.

Four farmers were beheaded in Ancuabe district on 21 July. The next day, at least six civilians were killed during an attack near Nathocua village. Between 24 July and 3 August, six attacks in Chiúre district led to at least four civilian killings, and the displacement of almost 52,000 people.

Also in August, two civilians were killed in crossfire between Al-Shabaab and the FDS in Nangumi village, Macomia district. Another six civilians were killed by Al-Shabaab in Uvilili village, Palma district and in Mapate village, Muidumbe district.

In September, four people, including two believed to be police officers, were killed in Mocímboa da Praia district, after Al-Shabaab summoned them from their homes. Five civilians were killed in the Filipe Nyusi neighbourhood of Mocímboa da Praia town. A grocery store in Nangade district was looted. Three civilians who were taken hostage were used to carry the stolen goods. At least four civilians were killed and two children taken hostage in the Nanga neighbourhood of Macomia town. Their whereabouts remained undisclosed.

Between 10 and 21 November, Al-Shabaab carried out at least 13 attacks in the Memba district of Nampula province, killing at least 21 civilians and displacing over 66,000 people.

In December, clashes between the Rwandan Defence Forces, allies of the FDS, and Al-Shabaab in Simbolongo, an area in Macomia district, resulted in at least 35 deaths, including civilians.

Government forces

On 22 August, government naval forces reportedly killed at least five civilians on a sailing boat off the coast between Macomia and Ibo districts. According to credible sources, they fired at the boat in response to unverified information concerning the hijacking by Al-Shabaab of a boat carrying food supplies. Bodies were later found by fishermen along the shore between the villages of Goludo and Crimize. There was no investigation announced into the incident.

On 29 December, civilians were killed in Mogovola district, Nampula province. Although authorities acknowledged only seven deaths, sources from civil society organizations indicated between 13 and 38 fatalities, including one police officer. Most of the killings were perpetrated by the FDS in their attempt to stop artisanal mining.

Unlawful use of force

On 15 January, Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) officers beat Vanilda Fernando Mondlane at a protest in the capital, Maputo, against Daniel Chapo’s inauguration as president. Credible sources said 10 people were shot dead by UIR officers that day in the cities of Matola and Nampula.

On 24 February, UIR officers killed a bystander and injured another man when they fired gunshots into the air to stop looting and the burning down of the ruling Front for Liberation of Mozambique party headquarters in Morrumbene district.

On 5 March, UIR officers fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds that were following Venâncio Mondlane’s convoy in Maputo’s Hulene neighbourhood, injuring at least three people, including two children. Nearly two weeks later, they used live ammunition against a protest by opposition supporters, killing one man in the Casa Branca area of Matola city.

Enforced disappearances

The fate and whereabouts of journalist Arlindo Chissale, a supporter of Venâncio Mondlane, remained undisclosed since he was forcibly disappeared on his way to work on 7 January by suspected military officers, after receiving death threats from unidentified men. The outcome of an apparent investigation by the National Criminal Investigation Services into his disappearance was not made public.

Arbitrary arrests and detentions

On 12 March, Glória Monteiro Nobre Chire, Venâncio Mondlane’s financial manager, was arrested and taken to the 8th police station in Maputo city. Accused of crimes against state security and criminal conspiracy, she was denied access to her lawyer and family members. She was released on 4 September due to insufficient evidence.

Freedom of expression

In February, the Mozambique National Institute of Communication suspended for 48 hours the radio stations Vida and Encontro in Nampula city. It claimed that their broadcasting was disrupting the connection between the local airport’s control tower and aircraft. At least one of the stations – Radio Encontro – was known to be critical of the government and of the 2024 elections.

In June, around 16 journalists were arrested and their equipment confiscated by the FDS in Muidumbe district, Cabo Delgado. They were interrogated and intimidated for two hours in nearby Macomia district in connection with their recent attempt to photograph the destruction during armed conflict of public infrastructure in Macomia. The district administrator had previously authorized the journalists to take photographs.

Right to life and security of the person

Authorities failed to take adequate measures to ensure the safe release of eight men who were kidnapped between January and October by unidentified armed criminals demanding ransoms. Five of them were kidnapped in Maputo city; three during a period of just over five weeks between January and February.