The Mozambican Police Association has warned that Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) Commander-General Joaquim Sive could be held accountable for human rights violations committed by the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR).
The association views the decision to restrict UIR deployments as a step toward more judicious use of the force, but cautions against concentrating sole authorisation authority in the hands of the commander-general.
"That communiqué ends up crucifying the commander-general himself, because there may be forces acting and committing illegal acts, human rights violations, for which he will be held responsible," said association president Nazário Muanambane, quoted by Lusa.
The warning follows a directive issued by Commander-General Sive stipulating that the UIR may only be mobilised by provincial commands for public order, security, and public tranquillity operations upon superior authorisation.
In the directive, Sive pointed to "improper use" of the unit, which he said had been deployed "outside the legal framework" established for special operations and reserve forces. The measure aims to "reduce the excessive exposure" of the UIR in operations that do not warrant its intervention.
For Muanambane, however, the requirement for commander-general authorisation risks placing ultimate responsibility for any abuses committed during operations squarely on the PRM's top leadership.
Despite these reservations, the association welcomed the restriction on UIR deployments as a positive development, arguing it allows for more appropriate use of a force designed for special operations.
"The decision will not weaken security. What will happen is that it will become better organised and provincial and district commanders will exercise caution when deploying this force in certain actions that they know could endanger people's lives," Muanambane explained.
Mozambican non-governmental organisation Plataforma Decide also endorsed the measure. According to the organisation's director, Wilker Dias, the UIR has repeatedly been called upon to intervene in situations that should be handled by the regular protection police, owing in part to training deficiencies and operational difficulties within the regular forces.
"It was the right decision, because it allowed the public to identify the chain of command that can be held accountable in the event of abuses," Dias said, referring to what he described as the current "irregular use of the UIR".
Dias argued, however, that the measure would only prove effective if accompanied by strengthened training for the protection police, to ensure that the UIR is mobilised only in the most serious situations.
"This decision will endure if we have good training for the protection police forces — those who patrol the streets. If training is assertive and conduct is effective, I believe the UIR will only take to the streets when there are skirmishes that the protection police cannot control," he added.
The new directive follows a series of incidents involving UIR deployments across a range of operations. Late last month, the Secretary of State for Niassa province acknowledged the possibility of mobilising the unit to combat fuel smuggling, citing the alleged inaction of the protection and border police.
Between April and May, the UIR was deployed to guard fuel stations during a supply crisis recorded in that period. In July, the unit participated in an operation inside a bar in Xinavane, on the outskirts of Maputo, which ended with the public execution of a suspect wanted by the authorities.
Following that incident, the Minister of the Interior stated that recourse to police force should occur only when "strictly necessary" and in a proportionate manner.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=532369
