Mocímboa da Praia, Mozambique – Accusations of unlawful killings by the Mozambican navy are surfacing in Cabo Delgado province, a region already grappling with a protracted armed conflict and a humanitarian crisis. Human Rights Watch reported on March 15, 2026, that naval personnel allegedly opened fire on fishermen, resulting in at least 13 deaths and injuries. The incident underscores the escalating risks faced by civilians caught between security forces and non-state armed groups, and raises serious questions about accountability and the protection of livelihoods in the conflict zone.
The Mozambican government, citing security concerns, has imposed restrictions on coastal movement and fishing in parts of Mocímboa da Praia and neighboring Macomia districts. These measures, intended to limit the movement of insurgents, are severely impacting coastal communities that rely on fishing for their survival. The recent killings have intensified scrutiny of these restrictions and the methods used to enforce them, prompting calls for an immediate and impartial investigation.
Restrictions on Fishing Fuel Tensions
Since 2024, approximately 70 fishermen have been killed in incidents involving the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, according to estimates from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). These incidents highlight a pattern of escalating violence against civilians engaged in essential economic activities. The restrictions, while ostensibly aimed at countering insurgency, are creating a desperate situation for communities already vulnerable due to the ongoing conflict.
“Civilians have been subjected to abuses from both non-state armed groups and the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, which should protect them,” said Borges Nhamirre, a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, a South African nonprofit group. “These frequent incidents fuel frustration and may facilitate recruitment by violent extremist groups.”
Eyewitness Accounts Detail the Incident
According to reports gathered by Human Rights Watch, the fishermen, a group of young men from Mocímboa da Praia district, set out before dawn on March 15th in three small boats to fish off Calugo village. They were intercepted by naval personnel who initially approached them calmly, asking about their origins. However, witnesses say the navy personnel then abruptly opened fire.
A relative of a survivor reported that 13 fishermen were killed, identifying some of the victims as Juma Sufo and Mr. Mapanga, from the areas of Marere and Nanquidunga. Three other fishermen, aged 23, 24, and 32, sustained injuries and were transported to the Provincial Hospital in Pemba, where one required surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his neck on March 20th. The relative described inadequate immediate medical care upon arrival at the hospital.
“The situation here in the district appeared calm, but then I learned that the fishermen were shot,” said a local resident, whose neighbor was among those killed. “The soldiers were stressed and angry, and instead of investigating or arresting, they just killed.”
A History of Violence and Lack of Accountability
This incident is not isolated. Previous reports have documented the use of lethal force by Mozambican security forces against fishermen in the region. Tomás Queface, a researcher at ACLED, emphasized the lack of accountability for these actions. “This isn’t the first time the Mozambican navy has been accused of targeting fishermen,” Queface said. “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.”
Sheila Nhancale, Mozambique researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated, “Mozambican navy personnel fired on subsistence fishermen who fish the restricted waters out of economic hardship.” She added, “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.”
Broader Impacts of the Conflict in Cabo Delgado
The ongoing conflict in Cabo Delgado, which began in 2017, has resulted in approximately 6,500 deaths and displaced over 1.3 million people, according to the UNHCR. The violence has created a complex humanitarian crisis, exacerbating existing poverty and food insecurity. The restrictions on fishing, coupled with the broader conflict, are pushing communities to the brink.
Under international humanitarian law, applicable to the non-international armed conflict in Cabo Delgado, warring parties are obligated to distinguish between civilians and combatants and take feasible precautions to protect civilians. Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and its Second Additional Protocol provide minimum protections for those not participating in hostilities. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights further require governments to investigate unlawful deaths and ensure accountability.
The incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the conflict in Cabo Delgado, one that prioritizes the protection of civilians and respects their economic rights. Mozambican authorities have yet to announce a formal investigation into the March 15th killings. The next official update regarding the investigation is expected to be released by the Ministry of National Defence within the next two weeks.
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