According to Open Doors’ field sources, at least 10 Christians were killed in Memba town, Nampula Province in attacks in November. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that 71,983 people have fled.
From 13 to 15 November, fighters associated with the Islamic State’s Central Africa Province (ISCAP) carried out coordinated attacks in the administrative posts of Chipene and Lúrio. Several houses and churches were burned. Many Christian families have been forced to flee towards the administrative post of Alua (Erati District) and the neighbouring Metuge district of Cabo Delgado and Nampula province. Military forces have also been deployed.
Local Open Doors’ partners have reported the killing of 66 Christians in northern Mozambique in 2025. The recent attacks add an additional 10 deaths to this number. Survivors report extreme brutality in these killings.
A church leader, whose name we cannot share, was able to escape, sharing, “I survived only by God’s grace. I am now in hiding because I am well-known, and they would have killed me if they found me.”
About 500 kilometres north of Memba, seven armed and uniformed men entered the fishing community of Mocimboa da Praia last week. The local mosque’s imam in Sumail Issa told CNN he only came to know they represent ISIS after they hung a flag at the mosque. It is reported the jihadists were confident, and this came shortly after USAID funding was suddenly halted.
Open Doors’ sources say that no mosques were reportedly destroyed, while all known church structures in the affected zones were demolished.
Statement From the Field
“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing and deteriorating security situation in northern Mozambique,” says Jo Newhouse*, spokesperson for the work of Open Doors in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Not only does the displacement, brought on by the attacks, cause a dire humanitarian situation, but people are severely traumatised. Not to even speak about the spiritual impact these attacks have on Christians and church leaders, knowing that your faith puts a target on you and your family’s back. We urge the Mozambican government to do everything in its power to protect vulnerable communities in northern Mozambique and restore law and order.”
Please pray
- Please join us in praying for the affected communities. Pray God’s comfort for those who have witnessed extreme violence.
- Pray for the displaced and for their provision. May they see and experience God in the provision of their daily needs.
- Pray for the faith and the witness of the church in Mozambique, that it will be strengthened and not weakened because of these attacks.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
