By Kwanta Douglas –
Islamic State (ISIS) has kidnapped and enslaved over 600 women and children in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado region, since 2018, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Al-Shabab rebels have attacked multiple towns, killed over 2,500 people, and destroyed vast civilian property and infrastructure, including schools and health centers in Cabo Delgado, since October 2017.
Since April 2020, more than 800,000 individuals have been displaced as a result of an increase in violence.
According to HRW, some of them have been rescued by Mozambican and regional authorities, but the locations of many others are unclear.
Between August 2019 and October 2021, HRW interviewed and analyzed media reports on 37 people, including ex abductees, their family, security sources, and government officials.
They told HRW that Al-Shabab abducted women and girls during attacks in various Cabo Delgado districts, including Mocímboa da Praia in March, June, and August 2020, and Palma in March 2021.
The group, known locally as Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ) and Al-Shabab (or mashababos) forced younger, healthy-looking, and lighter-skinned women and girls in their custody to “marry” their fighters, who enslave and sexually abuse them, the lobby group said in a statement.
Others have been sold to foreign fighters for between $600 to $1,800, abducted foreign women and girls, in particular, have been released after their families paid ransom.
“Al Shabab’s leaders should immediately release every woman and girl in their captivity,” HRW quoted its Africa director Mausi Segun as saying.
“They should take all necessary steps to prevent rape and sexual abuse by their fighters, end child marriage, forced marriage, and the sale and enslavement of women and girls at their bases and areas of operation,” the statement further said.
AFP