Attorney General warns: Corruption threatens national security
Mozambique's Attorney General, Beatriz Buchili, voiced concerns over the link between corruption and terrorism during the swearing-in ceremony of the new director of the Central Office for Combating Corruption (GCCC), Glória da Conceição Adamo, held in Maputo. Buchili stressed the need for a new dynamic in fighting corruption and related crimes, which is a key component of the Public Prosecutor's broader strategy.
Glória da Conceição Adamo, who replaces Ana Gemo after 16 years at the helm of the GCCC, takes on the responsibility of ramping up efforts against corruption. According to GCCC spokesperson Romualdo Johnam, the successes achieved during the first half of this year stem from strong collaboration between the Public Prosecutor's Office and various public and private institutions.
Buchili underscored the broader impact of corruption, highlighting how it fuels organised crime, including terrorism financing, money laundering, illegal immigration, kidnappings, and drug and human trafficking. "We cannot normalise corrupt acts that pave the way for serious crimes like terrorism," the Attorney General stated.
Mozambique continues to grapple with an armed insurgency in Cabo Delgado province, carried out by extremist groups linked to ISIS. The most recent major attack took place in May in the town of Macomia, where insurgents clashed with Mozambican defence forces and Rwandan military troops.
Buchili further criticised the lack of integrity among public officials, which she said contributes to the plundering of natural resources and the misappropriation of funds critical to the provision of basic services. "Corruption erodes public trust in institutions and diverts resources that could be used to improve essential services," she warned.
The Attorney General also emphasised the importance of effective international cooperation in tackling corruption, describing it as "a crime that knows no borders."
Over the past six months, the GCCC has recovered assets valued at approximately 128 million meticais (nearly two million euros) in corruption cases. During the same period, the Public Prosecutor's Office reclaimed six properties worth 126 million meticais (1.8 million euros) and a vehicle valued at 1.3 million meticais (18,000 euros), while processing a total of 1,328 cases.
