Amnesty International on Thursday said the viral video showing soldiers throwing dead bodies onto a pile of burning household items in Mozambique, was a “glimpse” into the hidden goings on in the anti-insurgent operation.
Cabo Delgado, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “The viral video showing soldiers burning corpses is another horrific event that gives a glimpse of what is going on away from the attention of international media in this forgotten war in Cabo Delgado”.
Tigere Chagutah added: “Tragically it appears that incidents of violence against civilians, extrajudicial executions, and other human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law are still occurring, as previously documented by Amnesty International.”
The video, which Amnesty International reviewed, gained traction on social media on 10 January.
The incident is believed to have taken place in November 2022 in Cabo Delgado, where the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).
The regional force, which includes troops from the South African National Defence Force, has been fighting armed rebel groups since 2021 alongside Mozambique government forces.
The video also depicts at least one South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member, who is seen watching and filming the event.
The South African National Defence Force released a statement on 10 January in which they acknowledged SANDF member(s) were present.
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Tigere Chagutah said: “The burning of what appears to be dead bodies by soldiers is deplorable and is likely a violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits the mutilation of corpses and requires that the dead be disposed of in a respectful manner.
“Mozambican authorities and SAMIM must launch a prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances of these killings and the burning of the bodies, and anyone against whom there is sufficient admissible evidence should be prosecuted in fair trials.
“Security in Cabo Delgado must not come at the cost of human rights violations.”
