Maputo 28.10.2022 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has concluded a series of Trainings and Trainings of Trainers (ToT) for senior managers of law enforcement agencies in Risk Analysis and Criminal Investigation. The aim of these trainings is to promote the adoption of an Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP) approach to contribute to peace and stability in northern Mozambique and to address drivers of insecurity and displacement.  

Mozambique has been confronted with the proliferation of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) and Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) operating in the North of the country and along the main trade corridors. The insecurity in Northern Mozambique has triggered the displacement of over 946,000 persons.

Through the project “Strengthening Community Engagement and Policing (CEP) and Integrated Border Management (IBM) in Cabo Delgado, Republic of Mozambique, and Mtwara, United Republic of Tanzania” the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and IOM support the Government of Mozambique (GoM) to improve community safety and strengthen border security, contributing to peace and stability in Northern Mozambique. This objective will be achieved through 1) strengthening the relationships between law enforcement and communities through Community Policing activities; 2) promoting the adoption of an Intelligence-Led Policing approach by law enforcement agencies; and by 3) developing closer cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania.  

To do so, IOM trained police (PRM), migration (SENAMI) and criminal investigation (SERNIC) officers in Risk Assessment and Criminal Investigation. In addition, the reform of the curriculum at the Mozambican Academy of Police Sciences was supported and 1,100 active-duty police officers, which corresponds to 85 % of active police officers in the target districts, were trained in Community Policing. Through its work in Community Policing, IOM aims to promote increased trust between communities and authorities, while contributing to the prevention of violent extremism, as well as contribute to creating more suitable conditions for the concretization of development efforts. Additionally, law enforcement officers received training in topics such as Legal Identity, Passport Control, Counter Terrorism, Financial Crimes, and Cyber Crimes. In parallel with these activities, the project provided material support for the refurbishment of six police stations, the construction of a new border post, the provision of equipment for SENAMI, SERNIC, and PRM, as well as the creation of 150 Community Safety Councils consisting of over 6,000 community members.

“The strength of this project is its holistic approach, supporting security actors, migrants, and local communities and addressing both short and long-term needs. ‘Hard’ components like the construction of infrastructure and provision of equipment is complemented by ‘soft’ components such as developing capacities, revising the Police Academy Curriculum, developing the SERNIC Strategic Plan or setting up Community Safety Councils, which support structural changes and long-term results.” says Dr. Laura Tomm-Bonde, Chief of Mission of IOM Mozambique.

“Through this project, we hope to improve community – police relationships and strengthen border security and thereby contributing to peace and stability in the border areas of Mozambique and Tanzania” says Mr Rüdiger Zettel, Chargé’Affairs of the German Embassy in Mozambique.

The implementation of these courses, which the closing ceremony we are witnessing today, comes from the need to strengthen our institutional capacity to the extent that we have acquired new approaches, experiences, and perspectives of analysis against the negative impacts of migration in our country. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the willingness of the International Organization for Migration to support the draft of the National Criminal Investigation Service Strategic Plan 2023-2030, through the financing of the field research teams carried out by IOM, ACIPOL and other activities to be carried out subsequent phases of this very important instrument for the development of this institution, which has only been in existence for five years, as well as the provision of the working material which we witness the delivery here today said Ema Samuel Cossa Chambo - National Director of Human Resources - Ministry of the Interior

IOM operates through its head office in Maputo and sub-offices in Beira, Pemba and Nampula. By adopting a Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus (HDPN) approach for Northern Mozambique, IOM seeks to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals while implementing the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). This intervention specifically contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Target 16.a: “Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.”  

In 2022, IOM funding requirements amount to USD 79.3 Million to continue and scale up its HDPN approach in northern Mozambique.  
 
For more information, please contact: Manuel Mabuiangue at IOM Mozambique, Tel:  +258 847345420, Email: mmabuiangue@iom.int