The Nexus Between Violent Extremism and the Illicit Economy in Northern Mozambique: Is Mozambique Under Siege from International Organised Crime?

The report examines the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, led by Alu Sunna Wa-Jama (ASWJ). It argues that the group's growth is driven by a combination of radical Wahhabist ideology, deep-seated ethnic tensions between the Mwani and Makonde groups, and systemic economic marginalisation linked to the extractive industries. The document further details how ASWJ leverages and profits from a thriving illicit economy involving drug, wildlife, and gemstone trafficking, often facilitated by corruption within the Mozambican political establishment. It concludes that heavy-handed military responses have alienated the population and recommends a holistic strategy focusing on inclusive governance, wealth distribution, and community dialogue.

• The insurgency in Cabo Delgado is led by Alu Sunna Wa-Jama (ASWJ), a group that emerged in 2015 as a fundamentalist religious movement influenced by radical preachers from Kenya and Tanzania. The group has evolved from targeting security forces to conducting coordinated daylight attacks on civilians and multinational companies, such as the oil company Anadarko (now Total).
• Socio-economic marginalisation and grievances over the exploitation of natural resources are primary drivers of the conflict. Residents of Cabo Delgado feel excluded from the profits of petroleum, natural gas, and ruby mining, often facing forced eviction from their land with inadequate compensation.
• Long-standing ethnic and religious tensions between the Mwani and Makonde ethnic groups have been instrumentalised by ASWJ. The Mwani, who are predominantly Muslim and have been historically marginalised by the Christian Makonde-dominated FRELIMO government, provide a fertile recruiting ground for radical ideology.
• Cabo Delgado has become a major hub for an illicit economy, including the trafficking of heroin, ivory, timber, and gemstones. ASWJ finances its operations through taxes on these illicit traffickers, while some Mozambican politicians allegedly provide protection to criminal networks in exchange for money.
• The insurgency has international dimensions, with ASWJ being accepted as a member of the Islamic State in Puntland. Foreign nationals from countries including Tanzania, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia have joined the group, and Russia has provided military hardware, such as Mi-17 helicopters, to the Mozambican government.
• The Mozambican government's response has been characterized by heavy-handed security tactics, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and a media blackout, which the report argues has further alienated the local population and increased support for ASWJ.

APA

Mapfumo, L. (n.d.). The Nexus Between Violent Extremism and the Illicit Economy in Northern Mozambique: Is Mozambique Under Siege from International Organised Crime? Good Governance Africa. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2020/11/MAPFUMO-FINAL-4.pdf

Chicago

Mapfumo, Linos. The Nexus Between Violent Extremism and the Illicit Economy in Northern Mozambique: Is Mozambique Under Siege from International Organised Crime? Good Governance Africa, n.d. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2020/11/MAPFUMO-FINAL-4.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mapfumo |first1=Linos |title=The Nexus Between Violent Extremism and the Illicit Economy in Northern Mozambique: Is Mozambique Under Siege from International Organised Crime? |publisher=Good Governance Africa |url=https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2020/11/MAPFUMO-FINAL-4.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mapfumondnexus, author = {Mapfumo, Linos}, title = {{The Nexus Between Violent Extremism and the Illicit Economy in Northern Mozambique: Is Mozambique Under Siege from International Organised Crime?}}, institution = {Good Governance Africa}, url = {https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2020/11/MAPFUMO-FINAL-4.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }