Zambia, Mozambique strengthen security cooperation to combat cross-border crime, terrorism

The Zambian government has called for enhanced collaboration with Mozambique in combating transnational crimes and human trafficking, which are increasingly affecting the African continent.

Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Norman Hamaundu, made the call in Lusaka on Thursday when he received Mozambican Chief of Defence Intelligence, Brigadier General Ricardo Macuvele, who paid a courtesy call on him.

According to a statement issued by Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer Paul Shalala, Hamaundu expressed Zambia’s solidarity with Mozambique in its fight against terrorism, commending the Mozambican people for their resilience during times of conflict.

“We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Mozambique against terrorism and other transnational crimes. Stronger collaboration between our two countries is essential in defeating these threats,” Hamaundu said.

In response, Brigadier General Macuvele thanked Zambia for its military assistance in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province, where Islamist rebels had overrun large parts of the region.

He noted that the deployment of Zambian troops under the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) played a crucial role in pushing back the insurgents.

“Zambia helped us a lot to contain the situation. The territory you helped us recover from the terrorists remains secure, and we have even dismantled their final training camps,” said Macuvele.

The Mozambican intelligence chief also expressed appreciation for Zambia’s longstanding role in training Mozambican officer cadets.

“Since 1974, our cadets have trained in Zambia, and one of Mozambique’s most prestigious military units received its foundational training there,” he added.

The meeting underscored the shared security priorities of the two nations and reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability and peace through collective defence initiatives.

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