- Nearly seven in 10 citizens (69%) say the Mozambican government has been “very effective” (26%) or “somewhat effective” (43%) in its efforts to address the problem of armed extremists in the country.
- More than half of Mozambicans express “some” (20%) or “a lot” (33%) of confidence in their government’s ability to help end the conflict in Cabo Delgado. More express confidence in SADC (62%) and Rwanda (61%) to help resolve the conflict.
- Citizens offer a variety of suggestions for the best strategy to address the ongoing conflict in Cabo Delgado, including seeking outside military support (27%), negotiating with the armed groups (22%), working with local leaders (19%), improving the economy and creating more jobs (15%), and providing better government services (7%).
- Similarly, views on what causes people to join extremist groups are varied, including poverty (25%), unemployment (13%), and being forced by the extremists (11%).
- About three in 10 Mozambicans think that Islamic groups (37%), local people (32%), and foreign governments (32%) are involved in supporting and assisting the extremist groups that have launched attacks and kidnappings in Mozambique, while about one-quarter believe that political parties (27%) and private companies (23%) are involved.
A majority of Mozambicans believe that the government has been at least somewhat effective in its efforts to address the problem of armed extremism in the country, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows.
But while a slim majority express confidence in the government’s ability to resolve the conflict, more think Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) could make a difference.
Citizens’ views vary widely on who supports extremist groups, why people join such groups, and what would be the best strategy for addressing the conflict.
Since the beginning of armed conflict in the Cabo Delgado province in 2017, the government has responded with the national army as well as diplomatic efforts to secure international support, including interventions by SADC and the Rwandan military.