Insurgency Displaces Thousands in Northern Mozambique

MAPUTO, Mozambique — Reports of violence continue in Cabo Delgado province, despite government efforts to quell the insurgency. A series of attacks starting on March 31 and continuing into April left 15,000 people displaced, according to local sources.

For some residents, this marks their third or fourth displacement since the conflict began in 2017, following the discovery of significant natural gas reserves in the region. Paolo*, a partner with MegaVoice, highlighted that the ongoing conflict has claimed more than 4,000 lives and affected roughly 800,000 individuals.

“Anyone in front of them, they were killing. They were burning houses,” Paolo recounted. “This was not necessarily a religious conflict. It stemmed from financial opportunities in the region. However, it has severely impacted missionary work, as many have fled due to security concerns.”

Despite these challenges, local partners with MegaVoice remain in the area, facilitating the distribution of audio Bibles. “They have access to the people. They know the language, they know the necessity,” Paolo noted. He explained that many in northern Mozambique have limited educational opportunities, making audio Bibles a crucial resource for spiritual engagement.

One woman shared how listening to an audio Bible while working in her fields captured the attention of a neighbor. “This is in our language — I’ve never heard something in our own language!” he exclaimed after she explained it was the Bible.

As Mozambique grapples with ongoing instability following the contested elections of 2024, the MegaVoice team hopes to create positive change. “We want people groups receiving discipleship, learning about God’s Word, and potentially becoming missionaries themselves,” Paolo added.

“This involves not just one group or organization but an entire body of Christ working together to make this happen,” he highlighted.