VPI Participates in Multistakeholder Mission to Mozambique
December 16, 2025 •
The VPI Secretariat just returned from a multistakeholder mission to Mozambique. Organized by VPI NGO Member CDD (Centro Para Democracia e Direitos Humanos) and VPI Observer DCAF, with the support of the governments of the United Kingdom and Switzerland, the mission aimed at strengthening engagements with local stakeholders and the Government of Mozambique, an Engaged Member of the VPI since May 2024. The delegation included the Governments of the United States and Canada, VPI NGO Members Pact, Fund for Peace and Search from Common Ground, and ICoCA.
As part of the mission, the VPI participated in a series of events and meetings held in the capital Maputo and in Pemba, Cabo Delgado. During the week, the Government of Mozambique reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) and the development of a National Action Plan detailing steps to promote security and human rights, particularly relating to the extractive sector—a requirement for new VPI Engaged Governments.
Mozambique highlighted that the 2026 priorities to turn commitment to the VPSHR into action will be determined soon. The government stressed the importance of capacity building, citing the recent training of trainers on human rights delivered to representatives from security forces, as well as immigration and prison officers. Members were pleased with progress already made, and the openness of the Government to continue. The VPI is looking ahead toward more progress over time, including capacity building to continue the strengthening of the performance of public security, accountability for violations, and fostering an open space for multistakeholder collaboration and the promotion of a culture of protection of human rights.
The mission program included engagements with extractive companies operating in the country, international organizations, and stakeholders from the private security sector. The need for stronger regulation, capacity building, and improved working conditions of private security providers was highlighted by participants during a half-day event co-hosted by ICoCA. Companies with activities in Mozambique need to ensure their private security providers are regularly trained, and their operations are carried out in accordance with the law and international best practices.
In Pemba, the mission delegates met with the Governor of Cabo Delgado, Valige Tauabo, with the National High Human Rights Commission, and with representatives from civil society organizations. The Cabo Delgado province in Northern Mozambique is rich in natural resources, from natural gas, to graphite, rubies and rare minerals, and has a significant presence of extractive companies. However, the province remains characterized by low levels of development and suffers from ongoing conflict, violence, and civil unrest. Communities in Northern Mozambique suffer from high degrees of insecurity, with conflict driven by the presence of insurgents, land disputes, lack of economic opportunities, and a lack of trust between communities, companies and government. The VPI envisions enhanced dialogue between key actors, promoting a collaborative environment to determining a pathway for progress.
Mozambique is the third African country after Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to join the VPI. Two multistakeholder In-Country Working Groups meet periodically in Maputo and in Pemba to identify security and human rights risks and find collaborative solutions to them. Continued dialogue and collaboration among government, industry, and civil society remains critical to addressing security and human rights challenges linked to extractive operations. The VPI will continue working with stakeholders and the Government of Mozambique to support effective implementation of the VPSHR.
