Jacobs, Bass, Kim Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling for End to Violence in Mozambique
Jacobs’ resolution condemns violence by ISIS-Mozambique and urges the Mozambican government to address grievances
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, has introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning the recent rise in violence in Mozambique and calling for peace and stability in the country. The Jacobs resolution states that the United States and other donor governments should coordinate their assistance efforts and calls for a new approach to address the conflict in a comprehensive manner.
The resolution also stresses the importance of humanitarian organizations having access to the country, for U.S. and international aid to be distributed equitably by the Mozambican government, and calls on the Mozambican government to work to address local grievances in and around Cabo Delgado. (Full H. Res. 720 text available here.)
The resolution was introduced Friday with Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37), Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, and Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA-39) as the co-leads. Overall, the resolution is co-sponsored by thirteen members, including Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY-5), Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), and Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA-33), Colin Allred (D-TX-32), David Cicilline (D-RI-01), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Brenda L. Lawrence (D-MI-14), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Ami Bera (D-CA-07), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07).
“The people of northern Mozambique are experiencing widespread and devastating violence across their communities. Long-standing grievances, including state corruption, socioeconomic marginalization, and security force abuses in Cabo Delgado and in the north fuel terrorist recruitment. It is time the United States and international community coordinate to address this dire humanitarian situation in a comprehensive manner with respect for human rights and protection of civilians to prevent further loss of life. This bipartisan resolution, introduced with Congresswoman Bass and Congresswoman Kim as my co-leads, calls for this international coordination and shines a light on the need for a new approach to address the suffering of countless civilians across the country,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.
“For the past few years, al-Shabab has continuously targeted citizens in Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado Province and then Palma. This bipartisan resolution led by Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Young Kim, and myself, not only condemns the violence by ISIS-Mozambique against innocent civilians, but urges the Mozambican government to continue to work with all stakeholders and the international community to protect the vulnerable, including children who are constantly being abducted and exploited during the country’s rise in violent extremism,” said Congresswoman Karen Bass.
“The United States has an interest in combating violent extremism globally, especially in Mozambique where ISIS has killed innocent civilians and attempted to destabilize the region,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I will continue to ensure our government works with its partners in Sub-Saharan Africa to counter terrorism through security cooperation and effective humanitarian assistance.”
Since 2017, violent extremists have inflicted violence against the people of the Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique, including mass beheadings of men and boys, abductions, forcing children to take up arms, and attacks against local infrastructure. Grievances fueling local recruitment into ISIS-Mozambique include historical marginalization in Cabo Delgado, alleged state corruption and exploitation, and human rights abuses by state security forces.
This resolution condemns the violence by ISIS-Mozambique and other groups and urges the Mozambican government to address underlying social, political, and economic grievances of local populations in the north, work with partners to restore security and stability in a manner that prioritizes civilians and their human rights, and ensure humanitarian workers have access to marginalized populations.
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