The UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Saul, urged the government of Mozambique on Friday to strengthen its efforts to protect human rights when combating terrorism and to address the root causes of the conflict.
In a statement concluding his ten-day visit to Mozambique, Saul expressed solidarity with the country’s authorities in their efforts to prevent and counter terrorism, commending the recovery and stabilization of many areas from terrorist groups, which allowed many displaced people to return home. He also welcomed Mozambique’s counter-terrorism strategy, which adopts a comprehensive approach that goes beyond a militarized approach to address factors conducive to terrorism.
In his statement, Saul noted that many of the conditions considered conducive to terrorism under the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy were present in northern Mozambique. These include poverty, lack of economic opportunity, lack of basic infrastructure and services, corruption, land disputes, lack of trust in state institutions, and insufficient governance of the exploitation of local resources.
The UN expert highlighted that a comprehensive approach is essential to counter the spread of terrorism, which requires countering violent extremist ideology, strengthening state institutions and human development, ensuring that communities benefit fairly from their provinces’ natural resources and contribute to economic growth, regulating extractive industries, and promoting inclusive governance.
However, Saul expressed concern about human rights violations committed by terrorist groups during the conflict, particularly against women and children, including killings, maiming, sexual violence, and forced recruitment, in addition to other abuses by security forces. Consequently, he urged the government to provide military forces with adequate resources and to establish procedures and accountability mechanisms to prevent and prosecute violations. He also called for the effective control and training of the local security group Força Local, as well as the implementation of rehabilitation and reintegration programs for individuals disengaging from terrorism.
On the other hand, Saul criticized certain aspects of Mozambique’s anti-terrorism legal framework, including overly broad definitions of terrorism, disproportionate penalties, and what he described as excessive administrative and security powers that could undermine fundamental rights. Furthermore, he recommended that counter-terrorism financing measures be more risk-based and proportionate, particularly for non-profit organizations.
Finally, Saul called on the international community to sustain political and financial support for Mozambique at this critical moment, especially following the recent funding cuts. He warned that the ongoing conflict could be prolonged, emphasizing the need for continued international cooperation to support Mozambique’s national efforts to combat terrorism while protecting human rights. The UN expert will present a full report on his mission in Mozambique to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027.
Mozambique has been fighting a jihadist insurgency since 2017, particularly in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where a non-state armed group affiliated with the Islamic State has attacked state institutions, killed civilians, and imposed its territorial control. This security crisis has forced hundreds of thousands of citizens to flee their homes to safer regions, amid limited access to humanitarian aid. In February 2026, a rights organization reported that the armed conflict threatened access to education due to growing military use of schools.