In a resolution adopted on 17 September on human rights in Mozambique (616 votes in favour, 13 against, 57 abstentions), the European Parliament has expressed its deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in the north of the country, especially in the province of Cabo Delgado where more than half of the victims of violence are children.
The resolution clearly notes that since October 2017, the terrorist group Al-Chabab, which is suspected of being linked with the armed Islamic State group for the Central African Province, has carried out more than 500 violent attacks in the region, terrorising local populations, killing more than 1,500 people, and forcing the displacement of more than 250,000 individuals.
Parliament also stresses that the current security problems are exacerbating what is an already fragile humanitarian situation as a result of high rates of underdevelopment, climatic events, and conflict.
MEPs pointed out that if this insurgency is not stopped, it could grow and spread to neighbouring countries, thereby threatening the stability of the region, as has already been the case in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.
They are therefore calling on Mozambican authorities to take strong measures to prevent an Islamist rebellion, to protect the population, and to bring to justice all those who are suspected of terrorist activities. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)