Mozambican naval forces are facing accusations of unlawfully killing 13 fishermen off the coast of Mocímboa da Praia on March 15, 2026, an incident that underscores the escalating tensions between security forces and civilian populations in the conflict-ridden Cabo Delgado province.
The killings occurred despite government-imposed restrictions on coastal movement and fishing in parts of Mocímboa da Praia and neighboring Macomia districts, measures ostensibly intended to curb the movement of non-state armed groups. However, these restrictions have severely impacted the livelihoods of communities reliant on fishing, forcing many to risk venturing into restricted waters to secure their sustenance, according to residents and rights groups.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an urgent and impartial investigation into the incident, demanding accountability for those responsible and compensation for the victims’ families. “Mozambican navy personnel fired on subsistence fishermen who fish the restricted waters out of economic hardship,” said Sheila Nhancale, Mozambique researcher at HRW. “Mozambique’s partners should press the government to ensure a credible and transparent investigation, provide accountability and reparations for the victims, and adopt measures so that such abuses never recur.”
Residents who spoke with HRW described a scene where naval personnel initially approached the fishermen calmly before abruptly opening fire on three small boats carrying an unidentified number of young men from the district. One relative of a survivor reported that 13 fishermen were killed, identifying victims from the Marere and Nanquidunga areas, including Juma Sufo and Mr. Mapanga.
The aftermath of the shooting revealed inadequate medical care for the injured. Three fishermen, aged 23, 24, and 32, were transported to the Provincial Hospital in Pemba, but one survivor did not have a bullet removed from his neck until March 20, five days after the incident.
Eyewitness accounts suggest a sudden escalation of force. “When the military arrived, they first greeted and asked the fishermen where they were coming from,” one resident recounted. “Then the navy left, but about 50 meters later they returned violently.” Another resident stated, “The soldiers were stressed and angry, and instead of investigating or arresting, they just killed.”
This incident is not isolated. Reports of the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces using lethal force against fishermen along the Mocímboa da Praia and Macomia coasts have been increasing. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) estimates that approximately 70 fishermen have been killed in similar incidents since 2024. “This isn’t the first time the Mozambican navy has been accused of targeting fishermen,” said Tomás Queface, a researcher at ACLED. “We have documented multiple incidents, but there has been no serious investigation or accountability. This sends a message that such abuses are tolerated and risks further violations.”
Researchers at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) warn that such killings exacerbate the broader risks to civilians in Cabo Delgado, a region beset by conflict since 2017. Borges Nhamirre, an ISS researcher, noted that civilians are facing abuses from both non-state armed groups and the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, who are tasked with protecting them. “These frequent incidents fuel frustration and may facilitate recruitment by violent extremist groups,” he said.
The coastal restrictions are also creating a severe economic crisis for local communities. “Without access to the sea, communities lose essential means of subsistence,” Nhamirre added. “They are caught between the conflict and hunger.”
The conflict in Cabo Delgado has resulted in approximately 6,500 deaths and displaced over 1.3 million people since 2017, according to UNHCR data. The situation is further complicated by the obligations under international humanitarian law, which requires warring parties to distinguish between civilians and combatants and take precautions to protect civilians. Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and its Second Additional Protocol provide minimum protections for civilians, although the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights mandate investigations into potentially unlawful deaths and ensure accountability.
As of March 26, 2026, Mozambican authorities have not publicly addressed the allegations of unlawful killings, nor have they announced any plans for an independent investigation. The international community awaits a response, with pressure mounting on the government to address the escalating violence against civilians and ensure justice for the victims.
