Mozambique
As of February 2026, Mozambique is navigating a severe human rights crisis. The country is reeling from the aftermath of a violent post-election crackdown and a rapidly expanding insurgency in the north, all compounded by climate-driven humanitarian emergencies.
The following are the current human rights issues associated with Mozambique:
1. Post-Election Violence and Political Repression
The October 2024 general elections triggered a period of unprecedented domestic unrest and state violence that lasted into early 2025.
Lethal Force: Following allegations of vote-rigging, security forces used live ammunition to suppress protests. Human rights groups (Amnesty and HRW) documented over 300 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Political Assassinations: The conflict was exacerbated by the high-profile killings of opposition figures, including the lawyer for candidate Venâncio Mondlane, which severely chilled political dissent.
Mass Arbitrary Arrests: Over 4,000 people were detained during the crackdown. While many have been released, reports of torture and ill-treatment in custody remain a major concern for 2026.
2. The Cabo Delgado Conflict and "Southward Expansion"
The Islamist insurgency (linked to ISIS) in northern Mozambique has entered a dangerous new phase in 2026.
Expansion into Nampula: Since late 2025, attacks have moved south from Cabo Delgado into the more densely populated Nampula Province, displacing over 100,000 people in just the last few months.
Atrocities by Armed Groups: Insurgents continue to carry out summary executions, beheadings, and the systematic abduction of children for use as soldiers and sex slaves.
State and Corporate Complicity: While a 2026 national commission cleared TotalEnergies of direct abuse, international legal bodies continue to investigate allegations that military forces protecting gas facilities committed war crimes against civilians in 2021.
3. Freedom of Expression and Media Safety
The environment for journalists and activists has deteriorated sharply, making Mozambique one of the most dangerous places for media in Southern Africa.
Poisoning and Disappearances: In 2025, high-profile cases emerged of journalists being disappeared (Arlindo Chissale) or allegedly poisoned with heavy metals (Selma Marivate) after reporting on corruption and the insurgency.
Digital Censorship: During the 2024–2025 protests, the government implemented several internet shutdowns and restricted social media to prevent the organization of demonstrations and the documentation of police abuses.
4. Children’s Rights and Forced Recruitment
Children are currently the most vulnerable demographic in Mozambique’s conflict zones.
Recruitment of Minors: Reports from late 2025 indicate a 525% increase in grave violations against children, including forced recruitment by non-state armed groups as young as 13.
Child Marriage: In Cabo Delgado, displacement and extreme poverty have driven a surge in child marriages as families struggle to survive. A "Child Help Line" (Linha Fala Criança) was launched in late 2025 to address this, but outreach remains limited.
5. Humanitarian Crisis and Climate Change
Mozambique is currently at the peak of the 2025/26 cyclone season, which is overlapping with conflict displacement to create a "multi-hazard" disaster.
Displacement and Flooding: As of February 2026, nearly 600,000 people have been affected by heavy rainfall and flooding. This has destroyed homes and schools already strained by the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Funding Shortfalls: The UN Humanitarian Response Plan for Mozambique remains dangerously underfunded (less than one-third of the required budget), leading to critical gaps in food, water, and protection for survivors of gender-based violence.
6. Rights of the Disadvantaged
People with Albinism: Mozambique continues to face challenges in protecting persons with albinism from ritual-based attacks and kidnappings.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Displacement camps report a lack of "safe spaces" for women, leading to increased risks of sexual exploitation and unintended pregnancies due to disrupted reproductive health services.