The Mozambican government has officially declared a strategic shift toward bolstering the communication capabilities of its security forces, specifically targeting the rising threat of digital disinformation. During the Third National Meeting on the Planning and Harmonisation of the Ministry of the Interior’s Communication Activities, Permanent Secretary Victor Canhemba emphasized that the modern security landscape is increasingly defined by conflicts originating in the digital realm. He warned that organized criminal networks—both domestic and transnational—are actively weaponizing false narratives to discredit public institutions, manipulate public opinion, and foster social instability, necessitating an urgent, integrated, and rapid institutional response.
The administration’s focus rests on the premise that communication is a pillar of national security. According to Canhemba, information that is poorly managed or left unchecked can lead to widespread public panic, speculation, and a dangerous erosion of trust between the state and its citizens. He urged police communicators to pivot away from reactive approaches, positioning them instead as active agents of social stability. By embracing a strategy grounded in ethics, discipline, and patriotism, the government aims to ensure that police spokespersons act as primary sources of “institutional truth” in an increasingly polluted information environment.
To operationalize this strategy, the Ministry of the Interior has outlined a comprehensive capability-building program for its communications officers. This initiative includes training in advanced digital tools, data analysis, crisis communication, and consistent media monitoring to track emerging trends and public sentiment. Canhemba stressed that this technical upgrade is not merely for public relations but is essential for protecting national security, as it directly supports broader efforts in cybersecurity and the operational success of defense and security institutions. Furthermore, the strategy emphasizes the need for proactive engagement with communities, bridging the gap between security forces and the public they serve.
However, the directive also carries a stern warning regarding the internal management of sensitive information. Canhemba explicitly demanded greater rigor from all police personnel, cautioning that the premature release of unconfirmed details could jeopardize active investigations and undermine the institution’s credibility. He noted that professionalization—through both technical and academic training—is vital, as the age of instant digital dissemination leaves little room for error. The government is now prioritizing high standards for institutional spokespersons to ensure that information released to the public is accurate, timely, and does not inadvertently aid those seeking to destabilize the state.
The necessity of this policy shift was tragically underscored earlier this year by a surge of mass hysteria that swept through the country. In April, unfounded, superstition-based rumours began circulating in Cabo Delgado province, falsely claiming that individuals’ genitals could vanish or shrink after being touched by others. These absurd claims, amplified rapidly by social media platforms, moved quickly from rural regions to major urban centers. The resulting panic led to a series of violent outbreaks across the country as mobs targeted innocent individuals whom they accused of participating in these alleged “genital theft” incidents.
The human cost of this disinformation campaign was profound. According to Joaquim Sive, the Commander-General of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), the fallout from the rumors resulted in 55 deaths and at least 111 injuries. This incident serves as a grim case study for the Ministry of the Interior, illustrating how quickly digital falsehoods can translate into fatal physical violence. The government’s new push for improved communication and media monitoring is, therefore, a direct response to this crisis, intending to ensure that state institutions possess the tools to preemptively debunk malicious narratives before they can spiral into national tragedies.
