Maputo, 7 March – For over eight years, communities in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, have grappled with the impact of a violent conflict perpetuated by non-state armed group (NSAG)s, which has caused wide-spread displacement and insecurity. Communities in border areas have been particularly affected, and the conflict has documented transnational links, with concerns about the spread of conflict across borders.

To respond to these challenges, a new initiative by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Government of Japan aims to reinforce security and early-warning mechanisms through investments in infrastructure, and a community-driven approach to policing and border management.

The partnership, formalized under the project "Strengthening Community Policing Activities and Border Security System," focuses on fostering stronger engagement between law enforcement and local populations. The initiative seeks to strengthen security-related infrastructure investments, as well as communication and feedback loops between security forces and the communities they serve. The project will establish community-based structures (known as community safety councils) that communicate regularly with local law enforcement. It will also train law enforcement officials in positive engagement with communities, rehabilitate five police stations, construct 13 new ones and build one border post to enhance the government’s ability to provide stability, and respond to safety concerns.

During the project signature ceremony, the Ambassador of Japan in Mozambique, H.E. HAMADA Keiji, stated,

"So far, the government of Japan has already provided lifeboats, a surveillance vessel, border control equipment, and police vehicles with the aim of strengthening the security system in the province of Cabo Delgado. The project signed today with the IOM also aims at reconstruction and improving security in the province of Cabo Delgado."

Since 2016, IOM has partnered with the Government of Mozambique to enhance border security and strengthen relationships between communities and law enforcement through community safety councils. This approach increases the information exchange between communities and authorities, which serves as an early warning system on perceived safety concerns and threats, increasing trust and collaboration to improve security outcomes. Since 2020, IOM has established over 250 community safety councils in Northern Mozambique. The IOM-Japan initiative will establish an additional 100 Community Safety Councils (CSCs) and continue to build the capacity of the 250 community safety councils previously established, benefitting over 3,000 community members.

"Before, we were afraid of the police—there was no real communication. But since the community councils started, we can talk to them. Now we understand each other, we trust each other, and that changes everything," shares Fernando Mario, community leader.

To further strengthen law enforcement’s ability to respond to security threats and engage effectively with the communities, the project will include the construction of 13 new police stations and a new border post, while rehabilitating five existing police stations. These sites will be fully furnished, equipped with solar-powered lighting and water harvesting systems, and will include community-friendly spaces for CSC meetings. Once completed, the initiative will double the number of newly constructed or renovated police stations in Cabo Delgado to 26, a vital benchmark in enhancing security and stability throughout the region.

“Security is about trust, and in a volatile security environment, equipping law enforcement and communities with the right tools, infrastructure and mechanisms to collaborate on shared security outcomes is critical for long-term stability within Mozambique and in neighboring countries.” said IOM Mozambique Chief of Mission, Ms. Laura Tomm-Bonde.

As northern Mozambique continues to face complex security challenges, strengthening border management and community engagement and policing remains a priority. Aligned with IOM’s objective to establish, expand and enhance regular migration pathways, this project will support the Government of Mozambique enhance its border management capacities. By reinforcing law enforcement capacity and fostering community engagement, the initiative will facilitate safe cross-border movement, mitigate security threats, and reduce vulnerabilities to Transnational Organized Crime (ToC). It also strengthens inter-agency cooperation, builds trust, and supports long-term peace and stability in Cabo Delgado.

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For more information, please contact:     

Programme: Stephen Matete, smatete@iom.int

Communication: Amanda Nero, anero@iom.int