Pemba, Mozambique, Sept. 26, 2025 (Lusa) - The organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced on Friday that it has suspended humanitarian activities in Mocímboa da Praia, amid a resurgence of terrorist attacks in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, warning that the violence makes it "extremely difficult" to maintain support.
"The escalating violence in northern Mozambique is making it extremely difficult to carry out medical activities safely in several areas of Cabo Delgado province. Following the attacks this month in Mocímboa da Praia, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has taken the difficult decision to temporarily suspend its activities in the town and in the regions [of Mocímboa da Praia]," reads a statement released today by the non-governmental organisation (NGO).
It adds that since the beginning of September, Mocímboa da Praia has suffered armed incursions, with attacks by armed men who "brutally killed and wounded civilians," threatened the population and looted property, reaching neighbourhoods located a few kilometres from the centre of the town, the district headquarters, forcing thousands of people to flee.
"Mental health and psychosocial support, as well as community activities conducted by health workers in remote areas, have also been suspended. Some patients in need of specialised care have been referred to health facilities in Pemba and Mueda," the NGO explains.
Víctor Leonor, MSF's head of operations in Mozambique, quoted in the document, expressed "deep" concern about the escalation of violence and its direct impact on all aspects of people's lives, including access to healthcare.
He also warned that "hundreds of thousands" of people are in “urgent” need of medical and humanitarian assistance in Cabo Delgado, "but insecurity continues to prevent them from obtaining it. This results in deaths and suffering that could be avoided."
"MSF remains committed to supporting the population of Cabo Delgado and to resuming activities in Mocímboa da Praia as soon as we have assurances that our team can work safely," said Víctor Leonor.
Médecins Sans Frontières recalls that it had already been "forced" to temporarily suspend medical support in several parts of Cabo Delgado for periods ranging from days to weeks throughout this year due to armed insecurity, appealing to "all armed actors" to "actively ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers and medical facilities in the face of ongoing violence."
Mozambican president Daniel Chapo said on Thursday that the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado should be taken on by the Mozambique armed forces (FADM), and not by foreign forces on the ground.
In Cabo Delgado, a gas-rich province, the Mozambique armed forces have been supported in their fight against terrorist groups operating in the region since 2017 by forces from Rwanda and neighbouring Tanzania - under a cross-border support agreement - while the military mission of the Southern African countries left the field in July 2024.
The province of Cabo Delgado has seen a resurgence of attacks by rebel groups since July, targeting the regions of Chiúre, Muidumbe, Quissanga, Ancuabe, Meluco and, more recently, Mocímboa da Praia, with several deaths reported.
In 2024 alone, at least 349 people died in attacks in northern Mozambique, most of which were claimed by the extremist group Islamic State, an increase of 36% over the previous year, according to data released.
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