What impact has democratisation had on security in Mozambique? This chapter finds that democratisation prioritised public security and led to a total reorganisation of the security sector. While the sector is politically independent, its democratic accountability needs to be strengthened. In particular, its capacity must be improved in order to reduce high levels of criminality. Staff skills and salaries must be increased and corruption addressed.
Following 16 years of war (1976-92) between the Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (FRELIMO) government and Resistencia Nacional Moçambicana (RENAMO) rebels, Mozambique embarked on a transition to democracy. However, its system of proportional representation, with a threshold of five per cent of votes at the national level for a seat in parliament, limits political inclusiveness. Exclusionary practices between Mozambicans and foreigners as well as within Mozambican society, along with regional differentiations, have generated mistrust. Civil society organisations are helping to mitigate social tensions, however, and the media facilitates some public debate.
The constitution of 1990 established that the National Assembly must define defence and security policy, (presented by the National Defence and Security Council) and must oversee the defence and security budget. While parliament’s legislative capacity is weak, it did refuse to pass the Defence and Armed Forces Act 18 of 1997 without a national defence and security policy. This, however, instead of being drafted through a wide consultative process, was left to the MoD. Civil society input into defence-related issues has been limited.
- The National Defence and Security Council informs presidential decision making and could enhance co-ordination among the security agencies.
- There is no evidence of a major vulnerability, threat, and risk analysis having been done to inform policies on defence and security.
- The parliamentary committee for defence and public order is embryonic, but does generate caution in the executive.
Adhering to the Defence and Security Act of 1997, the armed forces are politically independent and have so far not attempted to reverse the constitutional order. However, the MoD faces serious capacity-building challenges in managing, recruiting, and maintaining skilled personnel.
- There is also a lack of qualified personnel in the police, judicial and penal systems, plus inefficiency and chronic delays in the resolution of cases.
- Police ineffectiveness in the face of rising criminality, organised transnational crime and corruption has caused public outrage.
- There are alleged links between the major beneficiaries of Mozambique’s criminal networks and government and party structures, and a culture of secrecy on security issues has been established.
Both state and human security must be included in a national security policy, and an integrated vision is needed for the whole of the judicial sector. It is important to improve democratic control of the security sector, consolidate transparency and accountability practices, enhance performance and provide adequate resources. Policymakers should also:
- Improve security sector management and co-ordination among security sector institutions
- Revitalise the Ad Hoc Working Group established in December 1994, comprising representatives of the services and civil servants at the MoD
- Increase pluralism and tolerance of competing views and interests and promote non-violent means of conflict management and resolution.
