Reflections on the structuring and implementation of Mozambique’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
The preparation and future implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights occurs at a time when Mozambique faces challenges and expectations of great magnitude. The national economy has been shaped by the intensive exploitation of natural resources, social transformations linked to large-scale extractive projects, and growing tensions exacerbated by the insurgency in the north of the country. These dynamics have made more evident the need for an instrument that clearly guides the conduct of companies, the role of the State, and the rights of communities.
The National Action Plan (NAP) is of particular importance because it seeks to establish a national commitment to social justice and sustainable business practices. Its approval represents, on the one hand, an important normative advance and, on the other, a shift in how the country conceives development. The economy is no longer envisaged merely as a space for accumulation, but as a platform for inclusion, accountability, and respect for human dignity. The growing presence of international companies, coupled with institutional weaknesses in various sectors, makes a regulatory framework that promotes a balance between economic interests and social and environmental obligations indispensable.
In this context, the NAP offers an opportunity to forge a new vision of the relationship between the State, businesses, and communities. This vision will only be achieved if the document is understood not as an end, but as a practical guide, designed to influence public policies, improve decision-making processes, and create accountability mechanisms.
The end of force majeure in Palma, coupled with the progressive reactivation of extractive activities and the return of private security actors, makes this a particularly sensitive period. The Plan will only be useful if it is conceived as a living instrument, capable of influencing decisions, preventing abuses, and improving the performance of institutions. Its relevance depends on the ability to transform principles into concrete practices, guided by evidence and driven by the need to produce real changes on the ground. (CDD)
