The President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Francisco Chapo, met this Sunday in Brussels with the Mozambican community residing in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (BENELUX), in a meeting marked by the direct listening to the concerns of the diaspora and the reaffirmation of the State’s commitment to security and economic development.

During the interaction, held as part of his first official visit to the European Union at the invitation of the President of the European Council, António Costa, the Head of State highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership with the European bloc in combating terrorism in Cabo Delgado and in attracting investments aimed at creating jobs for young people and women.

“I would like to thank you for your excellent message and, above all, for sharing the concerns of the Mozambican community residing here, because it is our task and responsibility to listen, record and work towards addressing these concerns, all of which are legitimate,” said the Mozambican statesman at the beginning of his remarks.

The President stressed that the visit to the headquarters of the European Union aims to deepen ties in strategic areas, expressing gratitude for European support in the fight against terrorism and in providing humanitarian assistance to displaced populations in the north of the country.

On the economic front, he emphasized the need for structural reforms to improve the business environment and attract foreign capital.

The Head of State pointed to bureaucracy and corruption as obstacles that must “become part of history,” announcing the creation of the Office for Reforms and Strategic Projects within the Presidency.

“There is still corruption, and we must all work together as Mozambicans, united in the fight against this evil,” he declared, adding that the digitalization of the State — now under the supervision of a dedicated ministry — is a priority for modernizing public administration.

The President also detailed the relevance of the country’s natural gas megaprojects, mentioning the investments of ENI, Total and ExxonMobil, which amount to tens of billions of dollars.

According to him, the Government is working to ensure that these projects generate opportunities for Mozambicans. The National Directorate of Migrant Labour has been instructed to prioritize the hiring of national professionals, whether residing in the country or in the diaspora, whenever they possess the required skills for available positions.

Regarding the security situation, the President praised the bravery of the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces in Cabo Delgado, who continue to fight terrorism with the support of partners such as Rwanda and Tanzania.

“It is important to recognize the commitment and bravery of our Defence and Security Forces who, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in sunshine, rain or cold, Mozambican youth are in the forests defending the Mozambican people,” he emphasized, also mentioning the firm fight against organized crime and kidnappings in urban centres.

The Mozambican community in the BENELUX region, in turn, presented a message of resilience, highlighting their integration in sectors such as finance, the digital industry and engineering. However, they also raised critical difficulties, including the need to travel to Berlin, Germany, to obtain identification documents, the inability to exercise their right to vote, and obstacles in converting driving licences. As a solution, they proposed the creation of an “immigrant service desk” to centralize and facilitate administrative procedures.

In response, President Daniel Chapo highlighted the appointment — for the first time — of a Secretary of State dedicated to Mozambican communities in the diaspora, with the aim of valuing the intellectual capital and experience of Mozambicans living abroad.

The President also acknowledged the good conduct of the Mozambican community in the region, noting with satisfaction the absence of criminal records among compatriots, and called for stronger consular registration, given that only about 300 of the more than one thousand residents have regularized their status.

The Head of State also informed the community about the ongoing process of inclusive national dialogue, which has already resulted in the signing of a Political Commitment between various forces within Mozambican society.

He explained that this effort towards internal cohesion is essential for stabilizing the country and ensuring that economic reforms produce practical benefits in citizens’ lives, eliminating sources of conflict and promoting a lasting culture of peace.

At the end of his address, the President called for unity in building a prosperous nation.

“With millions of arms, but driven by a single will and a single purpose to develop Mozambique, let us continue, my sisters and brothers, to build an increasingly united, strong and prosperous Mozambique. Because Mozambique is one nation, both within and beyond its borders,” concluded the statesman, reaffirming that the country’s doors remain open to the contributions of its diaspora.