Malawi, Mozambique move to tackle security threats

Malawi and Mozambique have resolved to enhance stronger cross-border security cooperation to address illicit firearms, terrorism, human trafficking and organised crime which have emerged as common security threats to the two countries.

Inspector General of Malawi Police Richard Luhanga and Mozambique Deputy Commander General of Police Aquilasse Kapangula Manda said yesterday that emerging crimes are increasingly challenging security institutions and require joint training, intelligence-sharing and coordinated operations.

Luhanga (2ndR) stresses a point as other delegates listen. | Kondwani Nyondo

The two officials were speaking during the Malawi-Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security meeting at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre.

They cited porous borders and the movement of illicit firearms across the region as threats requiring joint responses.

Luhanga, who is leading the Malawi delegation, said the two countries are facing new and evolving forms of crime that continue to test their security systems.

He cited abductions, cybercrime, human trafficking, wildlife crime and complex transnational organised crime as threats that cannot be effectively addressed single-handedly.

“We need joint training initiatives, shared exercises, exchange of expertise and harmonised operational standards to strengthen preparedness and build trust between security institutions,” said Luhanga.

The discussions come amid growing concerns about the movement of illegal firearms in the region and their potential to fuel violent crime in Malawi.

On September 27, police arrested two Mozambicans at Kamuzu Bridge Roadblock in Chikwawa District and recovered from them an AK-47, two pistols and a Heckler and Koch firearm.

The recovery followed another security incident the same month when British national Nusrat Osman was abducted before she was rescued later in a police operation in Mpemba, Blantyre.

The suspects were armed with an AK-47 and a Girsan Regard MC pistol and during the rescue operation, Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira sustained injuries.

Painting Mozambique’s security situation, Manda outlined the threats posed by terrorism and insurgency, organised cross-border crime, human trafficking and weaknesses in border control.

He said insurgent activity in the northern part of Mozambique has spread towards Niassa Province, raising security concerns along the country’s borders with neighbouring States, including Malawi.

Manda said the security situation in Mozambique’s northern provinces has also deteriorated, with recorded security incidents in Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula increasing by 28 percent between the first and third quarters of 2026.

The incidents, he said, rose from 192 in the first quarter to 213 in the second and 245 in the third quarter.

The meeting has drawn representatives of security agencies and relevant government ministries from the two countries.

It started yesterday and is scheduled to run until Thursday with discussions expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in addressing shared security challenges.

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