According to sources, the Muslim terrorists approached the catechist and cruelly beheaded him and forced his wife to carry his head.
Mozambique – Maputo (24/12/2021 8:00 Gaudium Press) On December 15, Catholic catechist Matias Buscam was murdered by terrorists in the region of Cabo Delgado, in the north of Mozambique. The assassination took place on his way to work on a piece of land used for agriculture while accompanied by his wife and children.
Catechist beheaded
An anonymous source confirmed the attack. It became public through the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need. According to the report, the Muslim terrorists approached the catechist, cruelly beheaded him and forced his wife to carry his head to the authorities along with the message: “We are still here!”
The crime shocked the residents of the region. After several months of relative peace, the local population had returned to normalcy, reassured by the presence of Rwandan troops and other African countries.
Wave of terrorist attacks
On December 20, another terrorist attack by Islamic militiamen took place at an administrative post located in the village of Chai, also in the Macomia district. It resulted in the death of a South African soldier, besides other casualties among Mozambican soldiers who were victims of an ambush.
Muslim terrorists also carried out attacks against a village of Naulala, in Mecula district, Niassa, on November 28. In early December, Lichengue was also attacked, resulting in several houses being set on fire.
A complex situation
In a videoconference held by several Portuguese non-governmental organizations, Bishop António Juliasse, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Pemba, expressed his concern over the spread of terrorist attacks. stressing that in this way, “the situation becomes very complex.” According to the prelate, “insecurity is still significant despite the presence of foreign military” in the region.
More than three thousand people have died since October 2017, when the attacks began. The high rate of violence has caused the internal displacement of 800,000 people. For the NGO Aid to the Church in Need, the situation has placed Mozambique as one of the top countries in a critical situation for pastoral and psychosocial support projects and material aid. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
