Resolution on the humanitarian situation in Mozambique
The European Parliament adopted by 616 votes to 13, with 57 abstentions, a resolution on the humanitarian situation in Mozambique.
The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups.
Protecting people and preventing Islamist rebellion
Members expressed deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in northern Mozambique, particularly in the province of Cabo Delgado where the terrorist group Al-Chabab, reportedly linked to the armed group calling itself the ‘Islamic State of the Central African Province’, has since October 2017 committed more than 500 violent attacks killing more than 1500 people, causing the displacement of more than 250 000 people and leading to more than 700 000 people in need of assistance.
Parliament stressed that the current security problems are further aggravating an already extremely fragile humanitarian situation, due to the considerable delay in development, climatic shocks and conflicts. It called on the Mozambican authorities to take concrete measures to prevent Islamist rebellion and to protect all the inhabitants of Cabo Delgado province, stressing that if the rebellion is not stopped, it could spread to neighbouring countries, threatening regional stability as has already been the case in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.
Members warned the Mozambican government of its responsibility to bring to justice, in fair trials, all those suspected of terrorist activity and to launch an independent and impartial investigation into the use of torture and other serious violations by its security forces, as well as into all alleged cases of vandalism against the news outlets or infringement of freedom of expression.
Defence of human rights
Parliament called on the Mozambican authorities to ensure the promotion of democracy and human rights, effective local governance and the effective restoration of the rule of law in northern Mozambique.
It also stressed the need to eliminate some of the root causes of terrorism, such as insecurity, poverty, human rights violations, inequality, exclusion, unemployment, environmental degradation, corruption and misuse of public funds as well as impunity.
In view of the deteriorating situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mozambique, the resolution called on the European Union and its Member States to work closely with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its Member States to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region and to develop an effective plan of action.
Parliament reaffirmed the EU's readiness to discuss with Mozambique in order to identify effective options for implementing European aid, calling on the Mozambican government to be more open to this dialogue and cooperation with the EU and SADC. It requested the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the EU Member States to continue to monitor the situation closely and to increase their support to the national and regional authorities.