The new wave of attacks in Mozambique’s northernmost province of Cabo Delgado “has a stronger religious character,” says the director of Dennis Hurly Peace Institute (DHPI).

In an interview with the Communication office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) about the reported attacks, Johan Viljoen said the insurgents have burned churches, houses, schools, and shops in Cabo Delgado.

“On Friday they attacked the village of Nkiura, in Chiúre, where they killed another civilian, burned a church, 24 houses, and a school. They attacked the Muerota village on Thursday also in the province of Cabo Delgado, where they captured and killed a civilian and burned another church. On the same day, they attacked Kitivahola village in the same area and burned a second church,” said Viljoen in the Monday, February 19 interview.

According to Viljoen “The Catholic leadership on that side is very concerned, and nuns and religious and priests have already been withdrawn from areas in conflict.”

Meanwhile, in their Country update shared with the SACBC Communication office, the DHPI says “The new wave of jihadist attacks in Cabo Delgado is generating concerns in various sectors of Mozambican society, with Caritas Diocesana de Pemba warning that it is without the means to support the hundreds of displaced people.”

At the end of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, February 18 Pope Francis urged global leaders to push for peace in Sudan and northern Mozambique where millions have been displaced due to the armed insurgency since 2017.