– Deal may allow transfer of suspects linked to terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado
– Other agreements cover border cooperation, military training, and economic partnerships
By Sheila Nhancale
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Presidents of Mozambique and Tanzania, Daniel Chapo and Samia Suluhu Hassan, respectively, signed five agreements and memoranda of understanding on Thursday in Dar es Salaam to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as the economy, trade, and border security. Among the most significant deals is a prisoner exchange agreement, which could facilitate the transfer of citizens from both countries accused of involvement in the terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado.
The majority of foreign nationals detained in Cabo Delgado for allegedly participating in the attacks are Tanzanian citizens. Dozens have been convicted and are serving sentences in Mozambican prisons, while many others remain in pre-trial detention. There are also Mozambican nationals held in Tanzania under similar accusations. Until now, prisoner exchanges had been carried out informally between the Defence and Security Forces of both countries, in violation of detainees’ rights.
According to Mozambique’s Presidential Office, other agreements include establishing a One-Stop Border Post between Negomano (Mozambique) and Mtambaswala (Tanzania), which aims to ease mobility and boost cross-border trade.
In the area of Defence and Security, Tanzania committed to supporting the training of Mozambican personnel, including contributing to the establishment of a Civic Service in Mozambique. Tanzania is one of the regional countries with troops deployed in Cabo Delgado. The Tanzania People's Defence Force is stationed in Nangade district, on the southern bank of the Rovuma River, which separates the two nations.
On the economic front, the creation of a Joint Economic Commission was announced to promote bilateral partnerships and investments, including private sector involvement. The expansion of the Mtwara Development Corridor is also being considered, a strategic infrastructure for regional economic integration.
“Strengthening our economic and trade relations is a priority. Politically, we already have an excellent relationship with Tanzania, and now we want to translate that into concrete benefits for our peoples,” declared President Chapo, according to the official statement.
Additional memoranda of understanding were signed covering academic mobility in higher education, cultural cooperation, pharmaceutical quality control, and collaboration between the public broadcasters of both countries.
Other areas of cooperation include the sharing of experience in managing Special Economic Zones, tourism, the Blue Economy, and partnerships in maritime and air transport, with planned connections between Maputo, Pemba, and Dar es Salaam.
Chapo also emphasised the importance of neighbourly meetings between border provinces, including Cabo Delgado and Niassa (Mozambique), and Mtwara and Ruvuma (Tanzania).
The ceremony took place on the second day of President Chapo’s State Visit to Tanzania – his first since taking office – and was preceded by a bilateral meeting between the two Heads of State, followed by official talks between the delegations. (SN)
