PGR and police discuss strategies against kidnappings and terrorism in Mozambique

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PGR and police discuss strategies against kidnappings and terrorism in Mozambique

1:59 CAT | 09 Nov 2022

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: O País]

The Attorney General’s Office (PGR) of Mozambique and the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) will today hold a meeting to improve coordination in the face of the main security challenges in the country, including kidnappings and terrorism.

“This initiative is part of the development of actions with a view to improving the articulation between the two bodies, especially in the field of investigation and preparatory criminal proceedings,” reads a note from the Mozambican attorney general.

The three-day meeting will discuss the main security challenges in the country, with the emphasis on terrorism in northern Mozambique, and kidnappings, which have been taking place in the main provincial capitals since 2020.

“Among the items on the agenda, we highlight the analysis and reflection on the actions developed by the two institutions since the VII National Meeting, and the mechanisms which must be implemented to prevent and combat organized crime, especially crimes of money laundering, financing terrorism and kidnappings,” the PGR note adds.

The meeting will also serve as a platform for the elaboration of Sernic’s strategic plan for the next five years.

Cabo Delgado province has been facing an armed insurgency promoted by rebels for five years, with some attacks claimed by the Islamic State extremist group.

The conflict has already displaced one million people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and killed around 4,000, according to the ACLED conflict registry project.

Regarding abductions, after a period of relative calm, Mozambican cities, especially the country’s capital, have since 2020 again been plagued by a wave of kidnappings, mainly targeting businessmen and their families.

In November, 2021, the Police of the Republic of Mozambique launched the formation of a mixed force to respond to kidnappings, a group of officers who will be trained by Rwandan specialists for six months.

Source: Lusa