An attack by insurgent groups at the Marangira Game Reserve (Coutada de Marangira) in Niassa province, northern Mozambique, reportedly caused extensive damage to a safari camp associated with Portuguese-Mozambican football coach Carlos Queiroz, according to local media quoted by Lusa. The tourist camp operated by Mozambique Wild Adventures (MWA) was looted, burned down and vandalised… Source
An attack by insurgent groups at the Marangira Game Reserve (Coutada de Marangira) in Niassa province, northern Mozambique, reportedly caused extensive damage to a safari camp associated with Portuguese-Mozambican football coach Carlos Queiroz, according to local media quoted by Lusa.
The tourist camp operated by Mozambique Wild Adventures (MWA) was looted, burned down and vandalised by the insurgents, who also stole vehicles, in an attack that took place on Thursday, according to sources cited by local media.
Since the attack on the site, whose concession was awarded by the Government in 2014, there have been no communications with the area. However, environmental organisation ‘Mozambique Bio’, citing local sources, refers to the “destruction and loss of an investment estimated at US$3.5 million”, made “over more than a decade by businessman and lecturer Carlos Queiroz”.
It added that three foreign tourists who were at the site are safe, “although they lost personal documents and money during the raid”, while “around 15 camp employees are believed to have left the premises and sought refuge in the bush”.
“The site represented a long-term investment linked to nature tourism and conservation activities in that area of Marrupa district, Niassa province,” it added.
Provincial authorities are on the ground and, contacted by Lusa, referred an official statement to later today.
Cabo Delgado province has faced an armed insurgency since 2017 that has killed more than 6,600 people and displaced 1.2 million. The attacks spread, with sporadic incursions into neighbouring Niassa and Nampula provinces in 2025.
The armed violence in Cabo Delgado displaced 1,401 people in August and conflict-related incidents increased by 10% in the first half of the year compared with the same period last year, the United Nations warned today in a new humanitarian snapshot.
In its latest report on the humanitarian situation in Mozambique, released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the organisation said the conflict continued to affect the north of the country, while communities were simultaneously facing the effects of extreme weather events and the risk of a new drought associated with El Niño.
According to the report, at least 29,564 people were displaced by armed violence between January and August 2026, including 1,401 in August alone. Women and children accounted for approximately 79% of the recorded population movements.
“The conflict and displacement continue to affect communities in the north, while many parts of the country are still recovering from recent floods and successive cyclones,” OCHA said.
The UN agency added that conflict-related incidents in Cabo Delgado increased by 10% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, with civilians targeted in around 70% of reported incidents, including killings, abductions, looting and the destruction of homes.
The report also said insecurity had spread to areas previously less affected, with armed group activity recorded in the districts of Balama, Namuno and Montepuez.
According to OCHA, Mozambique currently has around 662,000 internally displaced people, based on the latest assessment by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
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