Subject: Escalation of violence and attacks by extremists in Mozambique
Since October 2017, the province of Cabo Delgado, in the north of Mozambique, has been the target of a series of armed attacks by jihadists who want to impose Islamic law in the region.
It is estimated that the conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 1 000 people and has forced more than 100 000 others to flee their homes and seek refuge in city centres.
Since it is in the best interests of Europeans and Africans alike to guarantee lasting peace and security in Africa, we would like to ask:
1. How does the Vice-President / High Representative view the escalation of violence in recent months? What action has been taken by the EU and, in particular, the European External Action Service in this regard?
2. Although, as yet, there is no conclusive proof that this radical Islamic movement is linked to Daesh, but given the Sahel region’s recent history, to what extent could this violence spill over into neighbouring countries, creating another region of instability and conflict on the African continent, this time in the south?
3. Does he believe that the lack of action by the EU could result in other international stakeholders playing a leading role in the region — a role the EU would like to play?
Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on behalf of the European Commission (31 July 2020)
Council Conclusions of 22 April 2020 expressed the European Union’s (EU) concern at the escalation of armed violence, which has led to a significant increase in displacement, and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to keep providing humanitarian suppor t (1). Recent events may have serious consequences for regional stability, if not comprehensively addressed. In dialogues with Mozambique and across the region, the EU has called on the Government of Mozambique to adopt an integrated approach, when addressing both the root causes of the insurgency and the security challenges in Cabo Delgado province. The EU has also expressed its readiness to examine how to support any locally-led initiative with the tools at its disposal.
The EU welcomes recent contacts between Mozambique, the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, recognising that cross-border cooperation will be essential to allow a full understanding of the drivers of the violence, to cut off the supply lines to its perpetrators and to minimise the chances of spill-over. The EU will continue to use its influence to encourage an approach that is fully respectful of human rights and the rule of law.
The EU has provided support for actions to fight radicalisation leading to violent extremism and terrorism and to build social cohesion (2). EU support under the current multiannual financial framework includes eight projects for civil society and youth, capacity-building and job creation. A pilot project on technical and vocational education and training is being prepared with European gas companies to ensure that local people benefit from development of the sector.
⋅1∙ https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7467-2020-INIT/en/pdf
⋅2∙ Financing decision: C(2019) 5931 final: https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/3/2019/EN/C-2019-5931-F1-EN-MAIN-PART-
1.PDF