Mozambique: A Ticking Humanitarian Crisis—Ungodly EU Funds Flow into Violence and Gas Extraction
escalating turmoil in Mozambique: Widespread violence, famine, and environmental calamity – European funds channeled towards military and gas ventures
Byline: Simone Schlindwein, Kampala
Mozambique, ranked third on the world's list of neglected displacement crises, finds itself in the hands of lavish European investments—yet, its local residents enjoy none of the profits. In this African gem heralded by travel presets and diving magazines for its mesmerizing beaches and vibrant coral reefs, a behind-the-scenes whirlwind of catastrophes encompassing violence, hunger, and climate catastrophe brews.
Compounding the chaos is the ever-threatening terror of the militia group Ansar al-Sunna, members of the international terrorist organization Islamic State. They carry out gruesome attacks in the neglected province of Cabo Delgado, causing macabre displays of beheadings, mutilations, and torture. Mozambique's desperate army, underfunded and faltering, struggles to manage the militia, and it's been forced to rely on foreign assistance. Most famously, the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group, supported the army against the Islamic militants, but their stay from 2019 to 2023 proved costly, with at least ten Wagner fighters losing their lives during beheadings.
As for the European continent, an African peace mission of over 2,000 soldiers from eight SADC (Southern African Development Community) member states was established in 2024 to combat the militancy. However, the tumultuous region, brimming with natural gas reserves, continues to attract the attention of militant groups, prompting them to re-emerge, as the Rwandan army remains stationed there. In addition, Rwandan companies have endeared themselves to French oil giant Total by sealing lucrative infrastructure and security contracts for the proprietary liquefied natural gas plant, despite protests and condemnation.
While aid for the starving populace remains desolate, the project seems juxtaposed against the unfolding crisis. In 2024, the UN's financial plan to address the plight of the nearly 5 million Mozambicans suffering from hunger was only funded about 40%, with over half of the funds originating from the US aid agency USAID. The Trump administration's shutdown in 2025 substantially thinned the funding pool. The EU's aid agency ECHO managed to provide only roughly 8%—a minuscule fraction of the nearly $20 billion that Total planned for the plant, prompting intense criticism.
Jan Egeland, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, alarmed about the situation, explains, "The world can no longer stand by and watch as the people of Mozambique are pushed to the brink of despair." While numerous governments and multinational corporations profit from Mozambique's resources, their contributions to humanitarian aid pale in comparison. "This staggering humanitarian crisis demands urgent action and increased funding," Egeland concluded.
Insights:
- Although the violence in the region has subsided for the moment, militant groups show signs of attempting to regroup due to the presence of Rwandan troops.
- In the final quarter of 2024, an investigation found that thousands of Rwandan soldiers illegally deployed to support rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The EU, nonetheless, renewed military aid to Rwanda.
- The decrease in funding due to the USAID shutdown and the obstruction from EU officials has exacerbated the already life-threatening situations in Mozambique.
- The Commission, in its efforts to address the crisis in Mozambique, could explore the integration of environmental science and climate-change education into its projects to empower local residents and foster sustainable development.
- Amidst the chaos of war and conflicts in Mozambique, one might wonder about the role of politics in facilitating or hindering peace efforts, as well as the general news that informs public opinion on these matters.
- Science can play a crucial role in understanding the environmental impact of gas extraction on the region, shedding light on the potential long-term consequences of these activities for Mozambique's ecosystems.
- As violence and humanitarian issues continue to escalate in Mozambique, the necessity for crime and justice becomes more pressing, as accountability for atrocities and the protection of local communities become paramount in the global response to this crisis.
