One Sea, Multiple Responsibilities: Building an Integrated Response for the Protection of Mozambique's Maritime Space

Alberto Mudjadju"

Mozambique's maritime space constitutes a fundamental strategic dimension for the country's sovereignty, national security, and economic development. The extent of its coastline, Mozambique's location in the Indian Ocean, the existence of port infrastructure, and the richness of its marine resources give the sea a value that transcends its geographical size, placing it at the center of the State's political, economic, and security interests. However, the strategic importance of this area is accompanied by complex challenges related to the surveillance of waters under national jurisdiction, the protection of marine resources, the security of port infrastructure, the control of maritime borders, and the prevention of transnational crime. Illegal fishing, smuggling, trafficking in persons and goods, irregular immigration, and other illicit activities demonstrate that maritime security cannot be understood exclusively from a military or police perspective. The diversity of threats demands a response that involves different sectors of public administration and other relevant entities. The Defence and Security Forces, the Maritime Police, port authorities, intelligence services, immigration services, fisheries institutions, customs, and transport sector entities possess specific competencies that, when properly coordinated, can contribute to more effective protection of the national maritime space. However, the multiplicity of institutions involved does not, in itself, guarantee an integrated response. The effectiveness of maritime protection depends on the ability to establish functional coordination mechanisms, share relevant information, avoid duplication of efforts, and ensure that the different institutions act in a complementary manner, respecting their respective legal mandates. A maritime threat can simultaneously present military, police, economic, customs, migratory, and environmental dimensions. The response to a given event may therefore require the coordinated intervention of several entities, from the initial identification of the threat to the monitoring, investigation, and holding those involved accountable. The central issue lies not only in the existence or lack thereof of material resources, but also in how the available capabilities are organized, coordinated, and used to achieve common objectives. This perspective places inter-institutional coordination at the heart of reflection on Mozambican maritime security. The relevance of this topic is justified by the strategic importance of maritime space for Mozambique and the need to deepen reflection on the institutional mechanisms necessary for its protection. Firstly, the sea represents a fundamental dimension of national sovereignty. The protection of maritime spaces under Mozambican jurisdiction is related to the State's capacity to exercise its powers, preserve natural resources, ensure the legality of maritime activities, and defend its strategic interests. Secondly, the cross-cutting nature of maritime threats requires an approach that goes beyond the isolated action of each institution. Combining existing capabilities can favor a more efficient use of public resources, improve the prevention of illicit activities, and strengthen the capacity to respond to situations involving different sectors. Thirdly, the approach has institutional relevance because it allows us to understand limitations in coordination mechanisms and seek to formulate responses aimed at improving cooperation between the actors responsible for the security and administration of maritime space. This reflection can support the debate on communication protocols, information sharing mechanisms, and procedures for joint action, within the legal limits of each institution. Maritime security constitutes an interdisciplinary field of study, allowing for the integration of knowledge from strategy, international relations, security studies, the law of the sea, public administration, and risk management. Analyzing these dimensions can contribute to the development of a scientific approach tailored to the Mozambican context.

2025/12/3