Ansar al-Sunna - The Islamic State in Mozambique
Group Profile
In 2019, the Islamic State declared a new affiliate in Central Africa Province (ISCAP), made up of branches in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. The Congo branch is comprised of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), while the Mozambique branch emerged in 2017 as Ansar al-Sunna or Al-Shabaab (distinct from the group in Somalia). Although IS core recognizes them as one group, ISCAP is actually two independent and geographically distinct insurgencies.
Ansar al-Sunna has contributed to the insecurity and instability of Mozambique since its inception, and bases its operations in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province. The group is thought to have been responsible for more than 3,100 deaths and the displacement of more than 800,000 people since 2017. Keep reading to learn more about its financial activities.
