Mozambique’s remaining step to exit FATF’s grey list

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Mozambique’s remaining step to exit FATF’s grey list

10:21 CAT | 14 Feb 2025

File photo: DW

Mozambique may soon be removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list”. The government claims that it has already complied with almost all of the international organization’s requirements.

The government of Mozambique claims that the country has already complied with 25 of the 26 requirements imposed by the FATF to strengthen the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

According to the authorities, the only pending measure is the updating of the database of non-profit organizations (NPOs), a process that should be completed by March 7, the deadline for submitting documentation to FATF.

The Executive Committee for Combating and Preventing Money Laundering met journalists on Wednesday (12-02) to present the progress made so far.

According to national coordinator Luís Cezerilo, the government and civil society are working hand in hand. “The government and civil society are working hand in hand to ensure that we comply with this by March 7, which is the date on which the country must respond to the FATF regarding this remaining documentation,” Cezerilo said.

Updating the database of non-profit organizations (NPOs) is the only pending action needed to remove Mozambique from the list of countries under increased monitoring by FATF.

“Through this information, through the adaptation that we are making to the database, we will be able to obtain a minimum of 10% of the definition of institutions that fall under FATF Recommendation 8,” Cezerilo explained.

The coordinator added that, by updating the information in the database, the government will be able to identify and classify the level of risk of the organizations.

“This means that when I register on the risk mapping questionnaire, it will tell me whether my organization, be it an association, religious institution or foundation, is at a medium, high or low level of risk, according to FATF designations.”

The measure comes after the executive demanded, in November 2022, that civil society NGOs provide detailed accounts of income and expenses, which generated criticism from some organizations, who accused the government of trying to silence them.

Journalist Fernando Gonçalves, former president of MISA-Mozambique, considers the government explanation clear and useful for better understanding the processes involved.

“It allowed us to better understand the processes that are followed to deal with these matters. I think this is very useful and important for us as journalists,” he commented.

Civil society organizations are expected to comment on the issue soon.

Source: Deutsche Welle