MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Mozambique

B9‑0285/2020

European Parliament resolution on the humanitarian situation in Mozambique

(2020/2784(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights of 1966,

– having regard to the 11th European Development Fund National Indicative Programme (2015-2020),

– having regard to the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement of 2016, ratified by Mozambique in 2018,

– having regard to the Cotonau Agreement of 2000, and in particular Article 9 thereof,

– having regard to its earlier motions for resolution on Mozambique,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas in terms of the 11th European Development Fund National Indicative Programme (2015-2020), the EU has allocated €697 million in grants to Mozambique, with an emphasis on good governance;

B. whereas the SADC-EU EPA is based on the fundamental principles set out Article 9 of the Cotonau Agreement which requires respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including respect for fundamental social rights, democracy based on the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance are an integral part of sustainable development;

C. whereas since 2017, at least 200 000 people have been internally displaced in Mozambique as a result of ongoing conflict centred around religious extremism, mining and the development of oil and gas fields;

D. whereas since 2017, there have been at least 100 armed attacks, including beheadings, by a regional Islamic terrorist group called Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jamma, also affiliated with Al Shabab, and which has claimed allegiance to ISIS;

E. whereas in August 2020 Islamic militants allegedly seized a port at Mocimboa da Praia, near a natural gas project in northern Mozambique worth at least US$ 60 billion;

F.  whereas evidence of arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings, the unwelcome role of private security firms, and the rise of violent religious extremism are inextricably linked to the exploitation of natural resources;

G.  whereas on 23 January 2019 a South African national, Andre Hanekom, died in police custody in northern Mozambique following his arrest based on false charges of being involved in Islamic terrorism;

H. whereas there is evidence of a number of Private Military Companies (PMCs) operating without due oversight and killing the indigenous population under the guise of protecting mining interests in the country; whereas Chinese investment in the oil and gas fields was suddenly withdrawn without further explanation or justification, despite the protection of a PMC owned by Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, a company linked to civilian deaths in Iraq;

I.  whereas on 23 August 2020, Canal media outlet was petrol-bombed four days after it published an investigative story alleging unethical procurement by government officials at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior and national gas companies operational in the northern province of Cabo Delgado;

1. Deplores the violence and systemic corruption that can be directly linked to the development of energy resources in the country; expresses its deep concern regarding the general human rights situation in Mozambique, specifically in the northern region and the province of Cabo Delgado;

2. Stresses the need for clarity regarding the fog of war that is created by various players involved in the exploitation of natural resources, including the Mozambican military and police forces, government departments, PMCs, and agents of oil and gas companies; further questions the role of foreign interests, including but not limited to Russia, China, the United Kingdom, as well as public and private entities from neighbouring South Africa;

3. Strongly condemns all instances of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing; encourages the Mozambican authorities to release investigative details of the arrest, detention and death of Andre Hanekom and others like him;

4. Strongly condemns attacks on the media and unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances of journalists; urges the Mozambican government to respect and protect the right to freedom of expression and to ensure and respect the independence of the media;

5. Condemns the acts of violence carried out by radical Islamist groups, in particular the Al Shabab group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the government of the Republic of Mozambique.