The Minister of National Defense, Cristóvão Chume, on Wednesday, July 2, advocated for information sharing and joint efforts with Malawi as a key pillar for successful prevention and combat of public threats between the two neighboring countries, particularly regarding terrorism, Lusa reported.
Speaking at the opening of the 16th session of the Permanent Joint Defense and Security Commission between Mozambique and Malawi, held in Maputo, Cristóvão Chume stated that “the sharing of information and actions constitutes a pillar for the success of all measures aimed at preventing and combating public threats.”
According to the minister, an agreement was reached, “based on the available resources,” to continue cooperation “in terms of qualified personnel, technology, and improved strategies to strengthen defense and security” in both countries. For Chume, the meeting—which brought together government representatives from both countries in the Mozambican capital—“symbolizes the strengthening of the cooperation relationship” with Malawi, which borders Mozambique to the north, constituting a “platform for dialogue” on matters of common interest in defense and security, with a focus on internal, regional, and international challenges.
“Mozambique and Malawi face complex challenges,” he emphasized, noting that both countries “suffer from transnational threats (…), notably human trafficking, violent extremist terrorism,” as well as phenomena “influenced by climate change, which (…) cyclically generate violent incidents.” According to the official, the country continues to experience “recurring, low-scale” terrorist acts in Cabo Delgado province, in the northern region: “This threat is a concern for all countries in the region.”
Chume suggested strengthening the approach to border security between the two neighboring countries. “Transnational organized crime constitutes a predominant threat and challenges us to reinforce the approach to securing our common borders, whether land or riverine, through joint cooperation to prevent such events early between the areas,” concluded the Minister of Defense.
The border between Mozambique and Malawi, stretching 1,569 kilometers, was established in November 1954 by agreement between the then-colonial governments.
Source: DE
