Crisis in Cabo Delgado: Children's Rights Violations Surge Amidst Ongoing Conflict

PEMBA, MOZAMBIQUE - The northern province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique is facing an alarming increase in violations of children's rights, as reported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). According to data released by the organization, serious violations against children in the first half of 2024 have quadrupled compared to the entirety of 2023.

The insurgency, which has been ongoing since 2017, involves armed groups sometimes claiming allegiance to the Islamic State, leading to a region fraught with violence and instability. UNICEF has urgently called for action, emphasizing that the situation has been "devastating" for children caught in the conflict.

"In Mozambique, serious violations of children's rights in Cabo Delgado were four times higher in the first six months of 2024 compared to the whole of 2023. We must act now," stated a UNICEF note, as seen by local news agency Lusa.

The conflict's impact on the younger population is severe. In February 2024, a fresh wave of attacks displaced approximately 43,725 children, constituting 61% of the total displaced population. These attacks also forced the closure of 129 schools, disrupting education and further endangering the future of Mozambique's youth.

One of the most recent and significant attacks occurred over two days in May 2024 in the district of Macomia. Here, around a hundred rebels assaulted the town, causing numerous deaths and engaging in heavy combat with the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces alongside Rwandan troops, who have been assisting in the fight against the insurgents.

The repercussions of this violence extend beyond immediate threats to life. Children in Cabo Delgado are experiencing a spectrum of rights violations, from being recruited as child soldiers to facing sexual violence and abduction. The lack of access to education, healthcare, and basic necessities like food and shelter has left many children in dire circumstances.

UNICEF's report on the situation in 2024 condemns the "making of excuses" for these violations, calling for immediate international response to halt the suffering. The organization stresses the need for protection, aid, and a focus on peace-building efforts to safeguard the rights and futures of the region's children.

As the conflict in Cabo Delgado continues to intensify, the international community, alongside local efforts, must address not only the immediate humanitarian crisis but also work towards long-term solutions to ensure the protection and rights of children are restored and maintained.

The situation in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province serves as a stark reminder of the toll conflict takes on the most vulnerable, urging all stakeholders to prioritize peace and the welfare of children in conflict zones. Sources