Maputo, Aug. 17, 2026 (Lusa) - The armed insurgency in Cabo Delgado has grown to between 400 and 500 fighters, has stepped up recruitment and is showing signs of expanding into the south of that Mozambican province, according to a United Nations report submitted to the Security Council.
The data is contained in the 38th report by the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team on the Islamic State (Daesh), Al-Qaeda and associated entities, dated 10 August, to which Lusa gained access today, and which the team compiled based on information gathered up to 9 June 2026.
The document was prepared for the Security Council Sanctions Committee established by Resolutions 1267, 1989 and 2253 and, in the chapter dedicated to Central and Southern Africa, the UN states that the strength of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaa (ASWJ), a group associated with the Islamic State operating in Cabo Delgado, «has increased to an estimated 400 to 500 fighters», even as multinational military operations continue in the province.
It added that, between 1 December 2025 and 31 March 2026, the group «stepped up its recruitment efforts», calling for new members to join and exploiting «illegal migration routes to move new regional recruits».
Insurgent activity remains concentrated in the districts of Macomia, Mocímboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Palma, Quissanga, Meluco and Nangade, whilst activity in the neighbouring provinces of Niassa and Nampula, which recorded attacks in 2025, is considered negligible, the report further states.
However, it notes that emerging activities in the districts of Meluco and Montepuez, as well as in Ancuabe and Chiúre, «indicated a gradual expansion southwards», suggesting a geographical expansion of the group's area of operations.
The report identified the area comprising the districts of Mocímboa da Praia, Macomia and Muidumbe as ASWJ's main operational centre due to the terrain.
According to the UN, the insurgents typically operate in groups of 10 to 15 fighters to avoid detection, but remain capable of carrying out coordinated attacks at several locations simultaneously.
Since January, it said, there have been several attacks along the N380 road corridor in the district of Macomia.
The monitoring team highlighted the organisation's growing interest in maritime activities, noting that the group has shown an interest in «maritime operations, including extortion and attacks on civilian vessels».
The report identified the organisation's current leadership structure, naming Hassan Ulanga as leader, Farido Sulemane Arune as deputy and head of operations, Suleimane Nguvu as logistics coordinator and explosives expert, and Mamudo Ibraimo Dado as head of finance and logistics.
It stated that extortion is the group's main source of funding, particularly at sea: «ASWJ continued to extort money from fishing boats, transport lorries and the marine life trade, such as sea cucumbers and seahorses».
The report added that kidnappings for ransom continue to occur, typically involving sums of between $20 and $50 (€17 and €43), although in some cases the amounts exceed $500 (€430), depending on the target.
Informal money transfer systems enable the group to move small sums on a recurring basis, blending them with legitimate economic flows in the region and making them difficult for the authorities to detect.
The report concluded that, despite the military pressure exerted by Mozambican forces and international partners, the insurgency retains its capacity for recruitment, financing and operational adaptation in Cabo Delgado.
The gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado has been experiencing an armed insurgency since 2017, which has already claimed around 6,600 lives and displaced more than 1.2 million people.
PVJ/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
