Mozambique Attorney General Advocates Military Courts and Evidence Collection to Combat Terrorism

Beatriz Buchili, the Attorney-General of Mozambique, has called for the establishment of military courts and the involvement of the military in gathering evidence to fight terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. Speaking at a meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Public Prosecution Service, Buchili noted that most of the terrorism cases in 2023 could not be prosecuted due to the difficulty in identifying perpetrators, as the crimes frequently occurred in conflict zones.

Buchili argued that the priority should be on preventing terrorism by identifying those who finance terrorist organizations and the source of the military equipment used. She also highlighted weaknesses in the issuing of identity and travel documents, which have been exploited for criminal purposes, sometimes with the involvement of Mozambican public servants.

The Attorney-General's Office has been appointed as the 'National Authority for the Designation of Terrorists' and has released two lists of individuals and organizations designated as terrorists, enabling the authorities to block or freeze their assets.

Why this matters: The rise of terrorism in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province has had devastating consequences for the region, displacing thousands and hindering development. The Attorney-General's call for military courts and evidence collection emphasizes the severity of the situation and the need for a comprehensive approach to combat the threat.

In a related development, the Mozambican Central Office for Combating Organized and Transnational Crime (GCCCOT) has filed a criminal case against two Mozambican nationals caught with various foodstuffs and funds intended to support a group of Islamist terrorists in Cabo Delgado. The investigation revealed that the defendants also purchased SIM cards and mobile phone top-up coupons, sending them to the leader of the terrorist group to facilitate communications, internet access, and money transactions. The defendants used the money to obtain information on the location, movement, and positions of the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS). Charges of financing terrorism, membership in a terrorist organization, and criminal conspiracy have been brought against the two defendants, and the case has been referred to the Cabo Delgado Provincial Law Court.

As Mozambique grapples with the ongoing threat of terrorism in Cabo Delgado, Attorney-General Beatriz Buchili's call for military courts and evidence collection by the military highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach to combat the issue. The recent case against two Mozambican nationals accused of supporting terrorists further emphasizes the importance of identifying and prosecuting those who enable and finance terrorist activities. "Most of the terrorism cases last year could not be prosecuted due to the difficulty in identifying the perpetrators, as the crimes often occurred in conflict zones," Buchili stated, stressing the challenges faced by authorities in bringing terrorists to justice.

Key Takeaways

• Mozambique's AG calls for military courts, military evidence gathering to fight terrorism.
• AG cites difficulty prosecuting terrorism cases due to crimes in conflict zones.
• AG's office designated as 'National Authority for Terrorist Designation', freezing assets.
• 2 Mozambicans charged for financing terrorism, supporting Islamist group in Cabo Delgado.
• Challenges in identifying, prosecuting terrorists highlight need for comprehensive approach.