Situation in northern Mozambique

Subject: Situation in northern Mozambique

Since October 2017, northern Mozambique has been experiencing a devastating wave of violence that has caused tens of thousands of internal displacements and more than 300 deaths and injured dozens.

These violent attacks have been claimed by armed groups with alleged links to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (Daesh).

What is more, Mozambican security forces committed serious human rights violations in their response to this wave of violence.

Given that these attacks are a serious assault on the rule of law,

within the international cooperation framework between the EU and Mozambique and taking into account efforts to consolidate rule of law in that country, for which EUR 734 million from the European Development Fund were earmarked as part of an agreement signed in 2015:

1. What measures have been taken to counter events of the kind described above?

2. What initiatives could be developed in the future?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on behalf of the European Commission (24 April 2020)

The European Union is following the deteriorating security situation in northern Mozambique with concern, and deplores the loss of life and interruption to economic and social activity.

The EU is in contact with Member States, other like-minded partners and the Mozambican authorities, so as to develop an effective and integrated response, compatible with international human rights standards and the rule of law.

This response takes account of the broader goal of promoting permanent peace across Mozambique, including through implementation of the agreement between the Government and the main opposition party RENAMO, in particular the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) component.

Constructive cooperation with neighbouring countries, regional and multilateral organisations in addressing the insecurity in northern Mozambique will also be important. The remoteness of the affected areas and the scarce information available means that further investigation will be key to determining the options for an EU response.

As part of its integrated approach, the European Union provided a first response to address urgent needs by adopting a Financing Decision (1) of EUR 10 million under the Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP). This includes support for actions to discourage recruitment and radicalization and to build social cohesion.

Further project activities will fund the re-construction of damaged schools and the building of new ones.

The project will also promote technical and vocational education and training for vulnerable displaced youth, which is also the aim of a further EUR 4 million in financial support from the European Development Fund (2).

⋅1∙ Financing decision: C(2019) 5931 final

⋅2∙ Financing decision: C(2019) 7857 final.