Violence in northern Mozambique intensified in June, with insurgents killing 10 people and abducting 72 others in Cabo Delgado province, according to a new report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The monthly toll marks a significant escalation from the 71 incidents recorded in May, signaling a deterioration in security conditions in the region that hosts some of Africa's largest natural gas reserves.
The surge in attacks underscores persistent vulnerabilities in the province, where militant groups have long targeted both civilians and state infrastructure.
For investors and energy companies operating in the area, the rising casualty and abduction figures raise concerns about the safety of supply chains and the stability required for ongoing liquefied natural gas (LNG) development.
Security risks in Cabo Delgado remain a key variable in assessing the timeline and cost of projects led by major international firms.
Mozambique’s government has taken steps to mitigate these threats, including reinstating military escorts along National Road 380, a critical transport artery connecting Silva Macua to Macomia.