Whereabouts of Two Brazilian Nuns Unknown Weeks after Jihadist Attack in Mozambique

“If the sisters have returned to the convent, we have no way of knowing it, because there is no place there where they can buy a new mobile phone,” the Cleric said in a statement that ACN shared with ACI Africa Wednesday, September 2.

He added, “Without any news of these people we have no idea whether they have disappeared, died or been abducted. We don’t know anything.”

The humanitarian crisis that is afflicting the province of Cabo Delgado in the far north of Mozambique is the result of terrorist attacks.

Fr. Cantífula de Castro, the Assistant Director of Radio Encontro, the radio station of the Archdiocese of Nampula in the neighboring province sent a message to ACN in which he explained the need for humanitarian aid in the region that is experiencing a surge in the population of refugees owing to the attacks.

“In the Archdiocese of Nampula, around 5,000 refugees have arrived. Most of them are young women and children in need of humanitarian aid. And they have no housing, food or clothing, nor any protection against COVID-19,” Fr. Cantífula told ACN which is helping the people of Mozambique through various projects, ranging from the rebuilding of churches to the support of priests and missionaries.

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“The people are going through unbearable suffering on account of the terrorism,” he said, and added, “It is a deplorable situation. It is estimated that there have been more than 1,000 deaths, with houses burned, villages abandoned, people reduced to living in the hills and others fleeing with absolutely nothing and seeking protection in places of relative safety.”

The province of Cabo Delgado has, since October 2017, been the scene of attacks by armed insurgents who some months ago openly declared allegiance to ISIS. It all started when an Islamist armed group known locally as Al-Sunna wa Jama’a (ASWJ) attacked a police station in Mocimboa da Praia district.

The attacks have been growing in intensity since the beginning of this year.

Despite the complexity of the situation and the lack of resources, Fr. de Castro said, the Church is not abandoning the people, “but remaining by their side, giving them whatever material aid and spiritual support it can.”

In his appeal to the international community, the Cleric said, “Please do not forget us. If you can, please help these people who have lost everything and been forced to flee from their homes.”