Mozambique: MISA protests at harassment of journalists in Cabo Delgado – AIM

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Mozambique: MISA protests at harassment of journalists in Cabo Delgado – AIM

9:48 CAT | 07 Jul 2025

File photo: AIM

The regional press freedom body MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa) protested on Wednesday at the intimidation of a group of journalists, and the temporary confiscation of their equipment, by members of the defence and security forces in Macomia district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

MISA sent a request to the Defence Ministry asking for an urgent explanation of the incident, which involved 16 journalists from several of the country’s media. MISA said the incident was a serious violation of press freedom.

The journalists, all based in the provincial capital, Pemba, were on a professional mission organised by the National Roads Administration (ANE). They were heading to Mueda district to cover work on paving the road between Mueda and Negomano, on the Tanzanian border.

During a stop in Macomia, on 26 June, the journalists interviewed the district administrator. Tomas Badae, about the reconstruction of Macomia town, which is recovering from raids by Islamist terrorists. After the interview, they obtained authorisation to film buildings damaged by the terrorists, such as the district secretariat and the official residence of the district administrator, which is currently occupied by members of the Rapid Intervention Unit (the Mozambican equivalent of the riot police).

When the journalists went to the residence they were intercepted by five men, some in uniform and some in plain clothes, who said they could not authorise the filming without “higher instructions”. Given the lack of an appropriate reply, and the shortage of time, the journalists decided to continue their journey without filming the damaged buildings.

But, as they were leaving the town, an alleged member of the defence and security forces tried to intercept their vehicle and photographed the number plate. Later, in Miangalewa locality, about 70 kilometres from Macomia, the journalists were intercepted by a group of soldiers and obliged to leave the vehicle. They were photographed and searched and some of their material was confiscated, without any search warrant.

Then group was obliged to turn round and return to Macomia town where they were interrogated for two hours. Their questioners could find nothing irregular about their activity, and so they were released and authorised to continue their mission.

MISA regarded this incident as alarming and demanded that the Defence Ministry undertake a speedy and transparent investigation, presenting the reasons for the behaviour of the agents involved, and guaranteeing that there will be no repetition of such situations.

MISA pointed out that acts of intimidation, public humiliation, psychological torture, and confiscation of the equipment of duly identified journalists, in the legitimate exercise of their duties, constitute a threat to democracy and to the rule of law.

Source: AIM