Ethnic Marginalisation and the Emergence of Terror Groupin Mozambique.

This article examines ethnic marginalisation as a central cause of the ongoing conflict in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province, where the insurgent group Al Shabaab has launched violent attacks since 2017. It highlights the historical and socio-political exclusion of minority ethnic groups, particularly the Mwani Muslims, by the dominant Makonde Christian elite affiliated with the ruling FRELIMO party, which controls political power and resource wealth in the region. The study situates the conflict within the greed versus grievance theoretical framework, noting that grievances stemming from poverty, unemployment, political exclusion, and unequal distribution of natural resource revenues have fueled radicalisation and insurgency. Key actors include the FRELIMO-led government, the RENAMO opposition party, multinational corporations exploiting local resources, and religious groups, all contributing to the conflict's complexity. The article concludes that sustainable peace in Mozambique requires inclusive power-sharing and equitable socio-economic development to address ethnic marginalisation and underlying grievances.