Source:
ZITAMAR News, August 2025.
Reports from northern Mozambique indicate a resurgence of insurgent activity in Cabo Delgado province, with incidents recorded in the districts of Ancuabe and Chiúre. These flare-ups have raised alarms for companies operating in the extractive sector, particularly those linked to ruby, graphite
and gas projects, as renewed violence threatens transportation routes, workforce safety, and supply chain reliability. Security sources describe the attacks as targeted strikes against local infrastructure and community centers, prompting temporary displacement of residents and increased military patrols in high-risk areas.
Cabo Delgado has been a focal point of Mozambique’s resource-driven development ambitions, attracting billions in foreign investment for projects such as the LNG facilities on the Afungi Peninsula and the Montepuez ruby mines. However, the province has also been the epicenter of an Islamist-linked insurgency since 2017, with sporadic attacks continuing despite joint government and regional security interventions. The renewed unrest in Ancuabe and Chiúre, both strategically located near transport corridors and extraction sites, threatens to stall recovery efforts and discourage the return of evacuated personnel.
This development is significant because persistent insecurity directly undermines the social license to operate for extractive projects in Cabo Delgado. Beyond the physical risks to operations, insurgent violence erodes community trust in both companies and the state, fueling perceptions that resource wealth benefits outsiders while locals bear the brunt of conflict and instability. For long-term viability, companies and government partners will need to strengthen community engagement, ensure equitable distribution of benefits, and integrate conflict-sensitive approaches into project planning—otherwise, the cycle of violence and mistrust will continue to jeopardize both economic and social outcomes.