Mozambique: EU mission to check human rights compliance by trained troops

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Mozambique: EU mission to check human rights compliance by trained troops

12:18 CAT | 17 Feb 2022

File photo: Lusa

The sending of equipment as part of the European Union (EU) military training mission in Mozambique also provides for the monitoring of respect for human rights by Mozambican troops being trained to intervene in Cabo Delgado, a source from the EU has told news agency Lusa.

The European Union Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM) has implemented measures to “track and monitor the conduct of units trained, once they are deployed in Cabo Delgado, and to assess their compliance with international human rights and international humanitarian law”.

“This is a precondition for the continued delivery of equipment under the EPF (European Peace Facility) assistance measure throughout the mission’s mandate,” an EU spokesperson said in response to questions raised by Lusa.

The above-mentioned equipment is non-lethal and aimed at reinforcing the capabilities of the Mozambican military forces to benefit from EUTM training. It includes individual and group equipment, means of mobility, technical tools and a field hospital.

EUTM will present “regular reports” through the chain of command and will keep member states “fully informed”.

Several organisations and some members of the population have reported human rights violations by different actors in the conflict in Cabo Delgado, including the Mozambican military, for whom the state has promised accountability.

“The armed forces must make serious progress to remedy the current situation, and are working with partners to educate troops on international humanitarian law in operations,” the same EU source added.

Human rights, international humanitarian law and gender equality “are fully integrated into all mission activities”, with a “particular consideration” on accountability for the conduct and discipline of the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces (FADM) and in the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence, violence against children and use of child soldiers.

Cabo Delgado province, in the north of the country, is rich in natural gas, but has been terrorized for four years by armed rebels, with some attacks claimed by the Islamic State extremist group.

The conflict has already cost more than 3,100 lives, according to the ACLED conflict registration project, and displaced more than 817,000 civilians, according to the Mozambican authorities.

Since July 2021, offensives by government troops, with the support of Rwanda, later joined by Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, has restored security in several areas which previously had a rebel presence.

Source: Lusa