Mozambique Navy: Cabo Delgado Fishing Abuses Claim 85 Lives

• Since early 2024, the Mozambique navy has targeted fishermen in Cabo Delgado at least ten times, resulting in over 85 deaths.
• A March incident off Calugo, near Mocímboa da Praia, saw a navy patrol kill at least 13 young men on six fishing boats.
• This deadliest attack drew significant criticism, but fatal navy attacks on fishermen have continued, including a major incident on March 15, 2026, which resulted in at least 13 deaths.
• Despite a lull in fatal incidents, no official policy changes have been announced, and other abuses like extortion and beatings by soldiers persist.
• The ongoing abuses contribute to the state losing its grip on Cabo Delgado's fishing communities, allowing insurgents to gain influence.

The state's authority over its fishing communities is visibly eroding, creating a vacuum that insurgents are increasingly exploiting.

The coastal region of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, has become a flashpoint for severe abuses perpetrated by the national navy against local fishing communities. Since the beginning of 2024, naval forces have reportedly targeted fishermen on at least ten separate occasions, resulting in a tragic death toll of no fewer than 85 individuals. These incidents highlight a disturbing pattern of violence that has destabilized the livelihoods and safety of those dependent on the sea.

One particularly egregious event occurred in March, when a navy patrol opened fire on six fishing boats operating off Calugo, an area situated near Mocímboa da Praia. This single attack led to the deaths of at least 13 young men, marking it as the deadliest in a series of similar assaults. The brutality of the Calugo incident garnered significant and unusual public attention, drawing widespread criticism that appears to have resonated within official circles.

Following the intense scrutiny surrounding the Calugo killings in March 2024, there was a noticeable shift in reported fatal attacks for a period. However, fatal incidents involving the navy and fishermen have continued, with a significant event reported on March 15, 2026, near Calugo, Mocímboa da Praia, where naval personnel killed at least 13 fishermen. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) estimates that around 70 fishermen have died since 2024 in incidents with military forces. This change could indicate revised operational directives or a greater degree of restraint being exercised by naval personnel on the ground. However, no official policy changes have been publicly announced by the authorities.

While the reduction in reported killings might suggest an improvement, it is equally plausible that it reflects a decrease in naval patrolling activities or simply less comprehensive reporting from the affected areas. The lack of transparency surrounding these operations leaves the true cause of the apparent lull in fatal incidents open to speculation. Moreover, other forms of abuse persist; in May, the navy itself was implicated in seizing two boats off Pangane and, according to sources, demanded approximately $4,000 for their return. More recently, soldiers have faced accusations of physically assaulting fishermen, indicating that while fatal encounters may have decreased, other forms of coercion and violence continue.

These Mozambique navy Cabo Delgado fishing abuses are unfolding against a backdrop of broader instability in the region. While the ruling Frelimo party convenes its national cadres conference in Chimoio to deliberate on the country's future direction, the situation along the Cabo Delgado coast presents a stark contrast. Here, the state's authority over its fishing communities is visibly eroding, creating a vacuum that insurgents are increasingly exploiting.

The ongoing violence and extortion against local populations by state actors risk alienating them further, potentially pushing them towards non-state armed groups. This dynamic undermines efforts to secure the region and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. The state's failure to protect its citizens and, in some cases, its direct involvement in their persecution, contributes to a loss of trust and strengthens the narrative of those seeking to challenge governmental control.

Source: Original reporting via Zitamar News