Tanzania is rejecting asylum-seekers fleeing terrorist violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

Cabo Delgado, located in the northern part of Mozambique has been subject to many attacks by a group known as “al-Shabaab”, which has led to a large number of forcibly displaced asylum-seekers. The UN is afraid an estimated 1 million people will be displaced by June and the UN does not have access to enter Palma in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province. UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is currently assisting thousands of people looking for safer places to reside in, however, those fleeing to neighboring Tanzania are being rejected and sent back to where they come from. UNHCR spokesman, Babar Baloch is worried about the fact that more than 1,000 people have tried to flee to Tanzania and were turned back. At least 700,000 have currently been forcefully displaced due to the violence carried out by the terrorist group known as “al-Shabaab”. Residents of Cabo Delgado province are suffering from hunger as their businesses like fishing etc. cannot continue as normal due to the violence. This, in turn, puts people’s lives and livelihoods at risk.