Mozambique. Alleged insurgents abduct minors in Mueda

In Mueda, Mozambique, two children were abducted by suspected insurgents during a family activity on October 16. The incident caused panic among local farmers, prompting military intervention, but the children remain missing. This abduction is part of a broader trend of increasing violence in Cabo Delgado, where over 5,794 people have fled due to insurgent attacks since late September. The region has faced an ongoing insurgency since 2017, resulting in over 6,600 deaths and 1.2 million displaced individuals. A recent UN report highlights a 10% rise in conflict incidents in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, with kidnappings becoming more common for ransom and forced recruitment.