Document
H.E. Filipe Nyusi
President of the Republic of Mozambique
Geneva, July 30, 2020
Your Excellency,
Greetings from the World Council of Churches (WCC), on behalf of its 350 member churches in more than 110 countries, representing over 560 million Christians around the world and Action by the Churches Together Alliance (ACT).
The WCC and ACT Alliance are increasingly concerned by the number and humanitarian impact of violent attacks by armed groups in the northern and central provinces of Cabo Delgado, Manica, Sofala and Nampula Mozambique. For the past three years, these regions have suffered an increasing incidence of armed attacks targeting the civilian population, commercial transportation, and properties. People have been killed, homes and livelihoods destroyed, and thousands of people displaced without the basic resources for survival, making them even more vulnerable particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WCC and ACT Alliance condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued killings and destruction by armed groups in the northern and central regions of Mozambique. The global ecumenical fellowship stands in solidarity with the people of Mozambique in the face of this unacceptable violence.
With the intensity of such attacks having increased in recent weeks, we appeal to you and the authorities of the country at all levels to fulfil your duty to the people of Mozambique, for the protection of their lives, properties and livelihoods from the threat of violent attacks, displacement, compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We urge you and your government to intervene, ensure protection against rights violations, put an end to these atrocities, and ensure security for the affected communities, to intensify efforts towards peace and lasting solutions to the violence through dialogue.
We pray that God will grant you wisdom, guidance, and strength to confront these challenges.
Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca
Interim General Secretary
World Council of Churches
Mr Rudelmar Bueno de Faria
General Secretary
ACT Alliance