The role of the government in overseeing private security and regulating business-community relations
The expansion of the extractive industry in Mozambique has led to a profound transformation in the security landscape and the relationships between companies and communities. The rapid growth of investments in graphite, rubies, natural gas, and other strategic resources has led to a significant presence of private security providers, often operating in fragile environments characterized by inequalities, social tensions, and a weak state presence, as is the case in Cabo Delgado province.
The government faces the challenge of regulating a sector that has expanded more rapidly than its institutional capacity to keep pace. Oversight remains limited, and the licensing of private security companies receives more attention than the control and monitoring of their practices on the ground.
Recent events in Cabo Delgado demonstrate that the absence of a strong regulatory framework has immediate impacts on community lives. Incidents involving excessive force, unregistered weapons, uniforms resembling those of public forces, and abuses against women emphasize the need for decisive, coordinated government action guided by human rights principles.
The government has a duty to protect the population and ensure that private security companies and extractive operators act responsibly. This text examines the State’s actions in this area and proposes pathways to strengthen oversight and regulation, to foster a responsible security environment and more balanced relations between businesses and affected communities.
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