# Mozambique - United States Department of State

- Digital Press Briefing on the U.S.-Africa Business Summit Joy Basu, Deputy Assistant SecretaryBureau of African AffairsAlice Albright, CEO, Millennium Challenge CorporationReta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Export-Import Bank of the United StatesMODERATOR:  Good afternoon to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub.  I welcome our participants logging in from across the continent and thank all of you for joining this discussion on the topic of the ongoing U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.  Today, we are very pleased to be joined by the U.S. Department of State’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, Joy Basu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Alice Albright, and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Reta Jo Lewis.  Our speakers will review the 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas and how the U.S. works to increase trade and investment in Africa. We will begin today’s briefing with opening remarks from our speakers and then we’ll turn to your questions.  We’ll try to get to as many of them as we can during the briefing. So with that, I’d like to turn it over to the president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Reta Jo Lewis, for her opening remarks.  MS LEWIS:  Good morning and thank you very much.  It is such a pleasure to be here with all of you to speak about the Export-Import Bank of the United States’ commitment to fostering economic collaboration with nations in Africa.  The Export-Import Bank – as we call it, EXIM – is the official export credit agency of the United States.  We actually were established as of February – this February – 90 years ago.  EXIM has played a very critical role in fostering economic opportunity for U.S. companies and for partnering nations that American companies do business with around the world.   It is very exciting to be here at the Corporate Council on Africa’s U.S. annual meeting, and it has given us an opportunity to talk about the work that we have and to make some major announcements.  As those of you who do not know, EXIM offers direct loans, loan guarantees, and insurance products backed by the full faith and credit of the United States to support the exports of U.S.-made goods and services.   So we were actually proud to be able to announce that – on Tuesday, we announced alongside the president of Angola, where we participated in a signing ceremony to celebrate the closing of three key partnerships for global infrastructure and investment, PGII projects, in Angola.  The projects that we signed are historic direct loans for more than 900 million to support the construction of two solar energy power plants in Angola.  The project is the largest renewable energy project and largest transaction in Sub-Saharan Africa in EXIM’s 90-year history.   We also celebrated the closing of a 363 million transaction on the – our China and Transformational Export Program, which we call CTEP, which goes to support the export of small business Acrow Corporation’s prefabricated modular steel bridges and related equipment to construct bridge infrastructure across Angola.   And then the final transaction that we were able to announce with President Lourenço and signed by his minister of finance, Minister Vera Daves, was a final transaction for 42 million to support Gates Air’s export of EXIM – of FM transmitters, towers, training, and other equipment.  This authorization is going to help extend the Angolan Government’s ability to communicate by radio with approximately 95 percent of the country’s population.   These were projects that we were – have been working with the Government of Angola for the last year, and we know that these are the types of projects that epitomizes our commitment to the Biden-Harris administration’s PGII objectives, a collaborative effort by U.S. Government agencies to support sustainable, clean, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure projects. So our commitment to Sub-Saharan Africa is also one of our key mandates that Congress has placed on us since we were reauthorized in 2019 to make more financing available in Sub-Saharan Africa.  And we know there is still more work to be done.  We’re eager to continue building upon our strong work on the commitment – on the strong work on the continent and are excited to be here at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit to seek out additional new opportunities to support U.S. exporters doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa.   MODERATOR:  Thank you very much, Chair Lewis.  So for her opening remarks, now we’d like to go to CEO Alice Albright.  MS ALBRIGHT:  Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Good morning, good afternoon.  Wonderful to be with everybody.  So it’s a very exciting week for us.  There is, of course, as Chair Lewis has just said, the U.S.-Africa Business Summit going on.  It’s the 16th Summit, and there’s a lot of energy in the room, with a number of U.S. agencies there and then a number of participants, heads of state from the continent, and a number of businesses.  It was just a terrific – it is a terrific environment.   MCC has a lot going on in the continent.  One of the things that we also did this week was we celebrated 20 years of MCC being in operation.  We were started in 2004 by President Bush.  And since our founding, we’ve been squarely focused on working on the continent.  Of the $17 billion that we’ve invested globally so far, 10 billion of it has gone to the continent.  We’ve worked in 24 countries.  We’ve done – of the 10, almost all of it relates to infrastructure in one way or another.  We also have a lot going on right now in the continent.  We’ve got about $3 billion in active programs. So in addition to meeting with a lot of our partners, this week we also announced the implementation or the start of implementation of, as I’m very proud to say, our 79th program, and it is a $350 million program in Malawi to help farmers get their goods to market cheaper and faster.  So we are very excited about that.  We also had a chance to meet with a number of our bilateral partners – of course, President Chakwera was with us to announce the project.  We also had a wonderful meeting with President Neves from Cabo Verde.  Of course, Cabo Verde was one of our earliest partners at MCC, and we announced – well, we announced it earlier this year.  We had a chance to speak with him further about something that we think is going to be very interesting, which is a regional program with an island nation, and I think it speaks to that country’s very strong vision for the role that they occupy where they are.   From a trade and regional investment perspective, we think that our regional program is going to really be very additive to our work, and we’ve got a number of different regional programs that are in various states of play.   And then another program that we’re – I’m just jumping around a bit, but another program that we’re very excited about is our program in Mozambique we signed this past fall, and it’s a half-a-billion-dollar program that will focus on various aspects of infrastructure in Mozambique.  One big piece of it is a significant investment to restore the bridge that connects the southern – the Mocuba* Bridge that connects the southern part of the country to the northern part of the country, and it’s become very vulnerable due to flooding and other things to do with climate change.  So we’re very excited about that. We have a lot of other things going on.  We have currently $3 billion in active programs in the continent, and I’m happy to answer further questions about them if we have time.  But let me turn it back over to you all so you can get on to other questions.  Thank you. MODERATOR:  Thank you very much, CEO Albright.  So finally for her opening statement, let’s turn to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joy Basu. MS BASU:  Thank you so much, and thank you, everyone, for joining.  Good afternoon.  Thank you for your time today and thank you for the important work you do as journalists.  A free press is a critical part of a thriving democracy, and we know that those values go hand in hand with a thriving economy.  So thank you for the important work that you do, and we’re just very – I feel very lucky to be here with Chair Lewis and with CEO Albright.   I will just wrap up very quickly by saying it’s been a successful Summit for us so far, and it’s really exciting to see how much progress has been made with the U.S.-Africa trade relationship not only since the December 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, but since I was with so many of you last summer in Gaborone at the CCA Summit last year.   We had a very comprehensive interagency delegation here to meet with the – I believe the final number of participants from CCA was 1,789, so almost 1,800 people were here.  And we had representation from across our interagency. As you heard from my colleagues, so much of the work that our interagency does is focused on energy and infrastructure, because that is so foundational to the work that other industries create.  We also had incredible deal signings with USTDA and Malawi, working on battery storage; with DFC and Sierra Leone, working on energy.  And we had meetings here to build on those industries with healthcare, with agriculture, and cross-functional industries like ICT. I think the goal of this is to really reiterate the U.S. commitment to Africa and the U.S. commitment to a 21st century economic partnership with the continent.  And the work here at USABS is really helping to partner with our African governments and African and American private sector to facilitate private sector-led economic growth and prosperity. So let me wrap there.  I’m very excited for your questions.  Thank you.  MODERATOR:  Well, thank you very much to each of our panelists today.  We’ll now begin the question-and-answer portion of today’s briefing. So for our first question today, we have a question from Mr. Andualem Sisay Gessesse of the New Business Ethiopia.  And his question is directed to Chair Reta Jo Lewis, and that question is this:  “Can you please explain the major achievements of the Export-Import Bank of the United States in advancing trade and investment with African countries over the past few years and your plans ahead to further enhance and support U.S. companies to invest in African countries and boost trade between the two sides?” So, Chair Lewis. MS LEWIS:  Yes, thank you so much for that question.  One of the things that we are very excited about is that EXIM, as I mentioned, is celebrating our 90th anniversary this year.  And our support for Africa really dates to nearly that beginning.  Since we did our first deal in Angola in 1942, EXIM has had a strong and reliable – and a trading partnership for Africa.  And so since 1997, that has been underscored by EXIM’s congressional mandate to build partnerships and increase financings in the region. I – in Fiscal Year 2023, not only did we – we approved over 1.6 billion in authorizations for Sub-Saharan Africa that I just mentioned, we also have undertaken over five trips and traveling throughout Africa, meeting not only with government officials but, of course, the private sector.  Because we know that it is going to be through public-private partnerships that we can all get this work done.  In the work that we’ve also done in support of U.S. exporters engaging with Africa is that we’ve signed six MOUs with African governments and institutions, as well as signing the memorandums of understanding with Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire.  And we’re – each of these agreements have been designed to facilitate up to about 500 million in U.S. exports financing and deepen the commercial relationship with those countries. We are – we have been working very diligently with those on the continent where we have signed and begun work through MOUs totaling about 1.3 billion with the African Ex-Im Bank, with the Africa Finance Corporation, and then most recently with the Bank of Industry in Nigeria.  In total since I’ve joined EXIM, we have signed about 2.3 billion of MOUs.  And so we recognize that the continent is changing, and we’re committed to the administration’s various initiatives on Africa. You can see, by the MOUs that we have signed, we are prepared to work with African countries and partner with all stakeholders to ensure that our exporters compete on a level playing field.  And so we want to be partners in the work that all of us do in helping U.S. exporters contract with Africa, as well as as we work with the foreign buyers who want to – on the continent who want to purchase U.S. goods and services.   We know that as we have done – undertaken this work, we know that the needs around infrastructure, health care, women entrepreneurship are very vital for – and are vital, and investments for – are needed for economic growth and for job creation.  And so we stand ready as partners and collaborators to work with those on the continent. And as Alice mentioned, this conference has borne out to be very successful for us.  It is such high energy in the room, and to be able to see how far the relationships that we have garnered, along with others in the United States Government who are here in full force to support these efforts that the President has asked us to in building and strengthening and deepening our bilateral relationship.  And EXIM has been – is very proud to have done their part.  MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you very much.  So we do have a question from Kemi Osukoya of Africa Bazaar magazine.  And I’d like to open Kemi’s mic and if Kemi can answer – ask that question live. QUESTION:  Hello, can you hear me?  MODERATOR:  Yes.  QUESTION:  Okay.  Thank you very much for taking my question.  And good morning and good afternoon to you guys.  My question is a two-part.  What percentage of the deals that were signed will be given to SMEs and women-owned businesses, both on the continent and as well as the U.S. entrepreneurs?  And the other part of my question is, being on the ground at events, you mentioned that you’re hearing feedbacks from the partners, with leaders.  So could you share some of those feedback that you hear regarding the work that you’re doing on the continent?  Thank you very much. MS LEWIS:  No, thank you very much for that question.  As it relates to SMEs, I think what a lot of – what we always like to say at EXIM is that we’re the bank for everyone.  And in being the bank for everyone, we have to strive exceptionally hard as we work with large, medium, and small businesses.  EXIM, when we were reauthorized in 2019, Congress gave us an additional mandate to make additional financing available in the small business arena, and not just – I call it not just small business for small business’s sake, but also to really drill down and go beyond a small business, but also around women entrepreneurship, around veterans, around – and rural communities, and really in the underserved populations. And so we’re very excited that with the agreements that have been signed on these particular deals that I just discussed in Angola, there is a significant amount of work that will be done in the supply chain, and most of those businesses are small business.  We have been – as we have worked through this process with Angola as well as with our own U.S. exporters, small business, they all know that small – that the small business exporters are very essential, and we’re going to be monitoring very, very closely what that looks like.   As it relates to – and then additional work that we have done to ensure that we reach those small businesses is to work with members in the diaspora.  The President announced – President Biden announced a diaspora council a few months ago, and one of the things that we’ve been really hard at work with them is to ensure that the work that we do at EXIM is expose to those members who are specifically focused on how do you develop and continue to build strong relationships with diaspora members throughout the continent.  So we’re really excited about the work that’s going to go forth in Angola and excited about the work that we do at EXIM overall, and the fact that last year, when we authorized the over $8.5 billion, 2 point – 2 billion of that was transactions that were in small business.  So we feel we are on target and on tap to reach those goals, as well as the fact that 90 percent – I think it’s like 88 percent, 88.5 percent – of the transition that EXIM does on a yearly basis is in the small business arena.  So we feel pretty confident that small business is going to be very much a part of the work that we’re doing, not only here in U.S. but those also in Angola and in Africa.  MODERATOR:  Thank you very much, Chair Lewis, for that response.  And we do have a lot of questions, and unfortunately, the time of our participants is limited, so we only have time probably for a few more questions today.  We did receive a question from Ms. Favour Okpale of BusinessDay in Nigeria, and the question is:  “African countries, including Nigeria, face enormous challenges, including inadequate power supply, lack of infrastructure, and security, among others.  Wondering whether these issues were on the front burner at this Summit; and in specific terms, are there concrete commitments from the U.S. to assist Nigeria and other African countries come out of this?”  And she also has a question about AGOA.  So I think if I could throw it to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Basu for her take on this question.  MS BASU:  Perfect, thank you so much, and thank you again for the question.  We just came back, actually, from the bi-national mission in Abuja last week, which was co-chaired between Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Foreign Minister Tuggar, and we discussed these questions in depth there.  And so I will be brief right now as the readouts of those meetings come out.  But we had a large session on shared prosperity.  And we understand that the challenges that Nigeria are facing are quite acute, and we see them echoed across the continent – as you say, lack of infrastructure, increasing insecurity, and yes, the United States is committed to be a good partner across that spectrum.  What I would say is, in particular, we’ve made commitments both to work on the security situation, but also to, as you’ve heard today, work on infrastructure, whether that’s roads and bridges or that’s energy, huge challenges both in Nigeria and across the continent.  A few concrete commitments were to work on the business-enabling environment in Nigeria, and to make sure that American companies that are investing in Nigeria are having a transparent and positive experience to deliver those goods and services, and we see that across the continent.  We also talked about reaffirming the difficult but hard policy choices that Nigeria is making and that we see being made across the continent to really strengthen their economies.  So of course in Nigeria there’s been a lot of challenge with the currency, but it is hopefully something that will make the economy stronger and enable Nigerian businesses to thrive.  We see that work across the continent as African countries come out of the pandemic and try to come out from under quite significant debt burdens and foreign exchange challenges.  And so we are working closely both with our U.S. Treasury, with the central banks of African countries, particularly Nigeria, and the World Bank to make sure that these countries are on solid economic footing to really serve their people and meet the basic public needs, both first and foremost for their people, but also to create the public sector goods that then allow private sector companies to thrive. So let me pause there.  I’m happy to follow up afterwards as well.  Thank you.  MODERATOR:  All right, thanks very much.  So we have a question on MCC, and that came in from Sogah Blessed of Joy News TV in Ghana.  Sogah, I’d like to open your mic, but if you could please be very brief in asking your question because our time is very limited.  Thank you. QUESTION:  Thank you.  I’m grateful.  Thank you for the opportunity.  I’m asking this question because of a peculiar situation we face in Ghana in the energy sector, the power crisis.  In 2019 the MCC revoked a $190 million funding for the energy sector owing to some challenges we had with the privatization concession.  I’m asking, given the situation in which we find ourselves now, is the MCC willing to avail this crucial funding, or it will be on the condition that unless the Government of Ghana brings back the PDS concession, which was a privatization module, and at the MCC?  Thank you. MS ALBRIGHT:  Thank you for the question.  A couple – a couple of thoughts on Ghana.  We did have a compact with Ghana, and the compact is closed.  And we were able to complete a fair amount of that work.  Right now we don’t have any immediate plans to work again in Ghana, but we can always look again to see if Ghana may be – may become a country that we can work with again. Generally speaking with regard to energy, we’re working in a number of energy compacts across the continent right now, because I completely agree with you about how critical energy is to overall development, which is our main mandate. MODERATOR:  All right, thank you very much.  As I mentioned, our panelists’ time is very limited and I know that Chair Lewis has another commitment in a few minutes.  So I’d like to give her an opportunity to give some closing remarks if she has some closing thoughts for us.  MS LEWIS:  Well, thank you so much.  I think this has been a very important conversation.  We realize – we’re really excited to be able to talk with all the journalists this morning.  I think the thing that we want to emphasize at EXIM is that we have a vested interest in the continent.  But we have a vested interest about the people and improving peoples’ lives, not only in America but also in Africa.  And so that’s why we are here as well as the work that we have done over decades about building partnerships and collaborations.  And I just want to just continue to emphasize the fact that we are looking for ways of how to continue to work with all businesses, especially large, medium, and small, and that to end on saying that equity is a priority for us.  We proudly provide additional support for those critical businesses.  And so when we’re speaking about small business, we’re speaking about women entrepreneurship, we know that they have to overcome a number of challenges.  We know that access to capital is the number one thing to keep them from growing and expanding, and that’s why EXIM is proud to offer additional services to our U.S. exporters and to our foreign buyers and working with our small businesses as we continue to keep a spotlight on them.  And so we are offering the different products and services, and we stand ready to work with them whether it is through initial consultation, helping them as they analyze the opportunities, working – as we work alongside our Department of Commerce who is often leading number delegations that we participate in throughout the continent, and also working to assist small businesses and underserved populations and minority business with connections to resources.  We have a 20-year – five-year history of doing that work, and we have recently introduced some additional products that is going to go to the benefit of that community.  So we are really excited to have been able to have a few minutes to share with you our continued commitment to work on the continent.   MODERATOR:  All right, thank you very much.  And as I mentioned, our panelists’ time is limited, so I’d like to also ask Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Basu and also CEO Albright if they have any closing thoughts for us. MS BASU:  I will defer to CEO Albright first.  MS ALBRIGHT:  Thank you.  Just very, very briefly, we too at MCC are very committed to a very inclusive approach to economic growth.  We didn’t get to touch on it earlier, but we work in almost every country on either figuring out how to include women and women-owned businesses into our work or small and medium-sized businesses.  So this often takes the form of different reforms that are necessary to enable parts of the society that are typically not included to get included.  We’ve got some wonderful examples – one in Lesotho just recently where there were some laws that were changed to enable women to own – to inherit land.  We’ve got a terrific program that we’ve just closed out in Morocco that introduced opportunities to a range of people in that country.  We’ve got a wonderful program in Cote d’Ivoire, a partnership with Microsoft that is focusing on bringing digital skills to women entrepreneurs in Cote d’Ivoire.   So inclusive growth is very much a focus of our work, and I think we’re making good, slow, steady progress on it.  MODERATOR:  All right, thank you.  And finally for Deputy Assistant Secretary Basu.  MS BASU:  Happy to, and happy to quickly answer a couple of questions that were coming up earlier, one around the feedback that we’ve gotten.  The feedback has been for more.  Right, we want more U.S. companies, more trade.  The momentum is really great and we cannot let our feet off the pedal – our foot off the pedal when it comes to strengthening this economic partnership.   U.S. companies in Africa not only help raise standards, but the work that we do, as CEO Albright mentioned, really creates the enabling environment for all businesses to thrive – African businesses, multinational businesses, American businesses.  And we know the marketplace works better when there are more choices, and so we’re glad to be able to facilitate and foster that.  And so that’s the main feedback that we have heard across the last – that I’ve at last heard across the last few days, is for more, and a lot of excitement about momentum that’s been made so far.  There was also a question about AGOA, and I would defer to my colleagues in Congress, who really have the responsibility for reauthorizing AGOA since it is a law.  But I will emphasize that the Biden administration has expressed strong support for the reauthorization of AGOA and the modernization of AGOA.  We want to see it reauthorized in order to be – to continue to be the cornerstone of trade, but also to facilitate our utilization, and to be more impactful and more strategic.   And so we have had great conversations with our colleagues on the Hill, in Congress, and there is what we call bipartisan and bicameral support for AGOA, which I think really emphasizes that our Africa relationship is important across the United States.  However, we do need to see ways that that law will actually get signed, and so we are working closely with our partners in Congress to see what can be done.  My push to our African partners on the continent is to develop utilization strategies to increase their usage of AGOA, which is a really incredible unilateral program for African companies to export to the United States duty-free.  And we want to see more companies – small companies, large companies – take advantage of that.  And so my push to the African partners on the line is to increase awareness but also increase national strategies that will let small companies and large companies make the most of this benefit.  And that maybe leads to my final point, which is a push to all our journalists on the line, which is twofold.  One is to keep doing what you’re doing in bringing transparency to your local markets about what is happening, because that is what is required for economies to thrive, is that transparency and that information and accountability.  So thank you for the work you do there and the ways that enables democracy but also economic growth.  And so keep up that great work.   But also, help us to tell the good-news stories across Africa, but also across the U.S.-Africa business relationship.  I think in the last year there have been a lot of hard stories across Africa, and those are very important, and we are working as a U.S. Government to address the democratic backsliding and the incredible insecurity we’re seeing in many areas.  But one challenge in enabling U.S. businesses to come to Africa is the risk perception.  And so one thing our team does very closely is try to, on one hand, right-size that risk perception and tell the good-news stories of countries that are taking the right policy decisions, that do have the right enabling environments; and then, other side, working to actually reduce the risk of investing by helping shore up security, helping to foster democracy and reinforce democracy.   So I ask your partnership in both sides of that, both in bringing accountability where it’s required, but also in telling the good-news stories because we know there are so many incredible innovations and entrepreneurs, and the world needs those African entrepreneurs to solve the problems of the future, and you are an important conduit for making sure their stories are told.  So thank you. MODERATOR:  All right.  Well, that concludes today’s briefing.  I want to thank Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs Joy Basu, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Alice Albright, and President of the EXIM Bank of the United States Reta Jo Lewis for joining us today.  Thank you also to all the journalists for participating.  As always, a recording and a transcript of today’s briefing will be distributed to participating journalists as soon as we can produce them.   If you have any questions about today’s briefing, you may contact us here at the Africa Regional Media Hub at AFMediaHub@state.gov.  I would also like to invite everyone to join us on Twitter, or X, at our handle @AfricaMediaHub.  Thank you very much and have a great day. # # # 
- Digital Press Briefing with Sara Minkara, U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, on Disability Rights in Africa Sara Minkara, Special Advisor on International Disability RightsBureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and LaborMODERATOR:  Good afternoon to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub. I welcome our participants logging in from across the continent and thank all of you for joining this discussion on the topic of Disability Rights in Africa.  Today, we are very pleased to be joined by the U.S. Department of State’s Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, Sara Minkara. We will begin today’s briefing with opening remarks from Special Advisor Sara Minkara and then turn to your questions.  We will try to get to as many of your questions as we can during the briefing. And with that, I will turn it over to Special Advisor Sara Minkara for her opening remarks. MS MINKARA:  Awesome.  Thank you, Johann, and so great to be with you all here today.  Good afternoon to you and good morning to us on the East Coast side here.  My name is Sara Minkara and I’m the U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights.  Just a little bit of background in terms of what we do and what we were doing in Kenya last week.   So I lead the U.S. Government foreign policy on disability all over the world with my team, so we cover the globe, and we approach disability and inclusion not just from a human rights lens but also from an economic lens, from a value-based lens.  A lot of times, if we take a step back and we think about disability narrative in our society, we’re still seeing society – society still sees us – and I say “us” because I am a person with a disability – still sees us from a point of we need to be taken care of and protected.  I want us to shift to a point where we are seen as users of the systems, we are seen as contributors to the systems of society at large, we are seen as entrepreneurs, employers, employees, we are seen as people that will need to go online and be able to access online shopping, for instance, and the e-commerce platforms.  We need to be able to access the AI that’s coming out and becoming more part of our economies and systems at large.  We need to be able to access physical technological infrastructure of communication and information accessibility.  So we need to shift from a point of, oh, let’s take care of the disability community, but another narrative of let’s break down barriers, let’s make society accessible at large so people with disabilities can contribute.  And that’s what brought us to Kenya. Last week there was the AmCham Business Summit, which is held every year, in Nairobi, and it brought together corporate leaders, government leaders from across Africa – across East Africa, across Kenya.  You had companies like Coca-Cola and Google and Microsoft, et cetera, but you also had local Kenyan and East African companies present – East Africa companies present there, et cetera.  And it was a space for us to talk about the importance of the AI and digitization and moving towards an Africa that’s (inaudible) building on to innovation and transforming our economies, et cetera.  And our point of being there was how do we ensure the disability lens is at the table; how do we ensure persons with disabilities are – their voices are heard; and how do we ensure that we are tapping into the 16 percent of the world’s population which is the disability community. We also had the chance to do some bilateral work in Kenya, working with the civil society community.  We met with some government individuals and focused on a few Kenya-specific disability-related initiatives and bills and amendments, acts, et cetera.  This is our third time to Africa in my current role.  We’ve been to Nigeria and Mozambique, and we were happy to be back on the continent last week.   So I’ll stop here, but ultimately, our goal is we want all sectors, including the media sector, to be talking about disability innovation in tech, and inclusion, and that we’re talking about economic transformation and within our societies.  Thank you.  MODERATOR:  Thank you very much, Special Advisor Minkara.  So we’ll now begin the question-and-answer portion of today’s briefing.   So for our first question – and this is, I think, particularly interesting as we are right now on a Zoom call – the question is:  “What role does assistive technology play in advancing disability rights?”  So, Special Advisor Minkara? MS MINKARA:  It’s a really good question.  And I look at this question in two layers.  One is, yes, assistive technology is super important, and it’s helped break down barriers for us as persons with disabilities.  For example, I use a screen-reader software called JAWS that allows me to use my computer and access my computer, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, which is really important because the more we move towards technology, the more that we want to make sure that those are accessible to all.  But on the other hand, the caveat is, if websites are not built accessible and websites are not built in a way to be able to work with screen-reader software, my screen-reader software is useless.   So one layer to this question is, how do we ensure that anything that we build is accessible and how do we bake in also within our mainstream technology ways that allow for more opportunities to navigate.  What I mean by that – my phone right now, any iPhones, right, and this is also for Android and other phones, right – my iPhone, I can easily open up, go into general settings, accessibility, and turn on voiceover, and that will allow me to be able to access my phone like anyone else; it’s just through touch screen.  I touch and it reads back out.  I’m not buying a special phone.  I’m not buying extra things.  It’s baked in.  And that’s what’s really important, is how do we create technology out there that’s accessible for everyone.  Right now I go to a lot of new hotel rooms and there’s these touch screens that are not accessible to me, right?  So technology is really important, innovation is really important, but let’s make sure accessibility is baked in.   MODERATOR:  All right, thank you very much.  So for our second question, it comes to us from Kemi Osukoya from Africa Bazaar Magazine, and the question is this:  “As we have seen in the U.S., people with disabilities still face many challenges in the workplace and society.  How will the U.S. use its experience to work with local partners in Africa to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in Africa while also respecting African cultures?” MS MINKARA:  That’s a really good question.  As you mentioned – and it’s a really good point – we’ve been in a 50-year journey of disability inclusion.  There’s a lot of progress but there’s a lot more work to be done.  There’s a lot of learned lessons and there’s a lot of great practices, but there’s a lot of things that we can also learn from all over the world.  And I think when we talk about disability inclusion, we need to ensure that we localize it to the local culture and context and that we ensure that everything is designed through the community.  But one thing that is common anywhere in the world, in that whether – depending – doesn’t matter where, what culture, what country, what community.  The one common thing is we as people with disabilities, we have the desire to be seen, to be heard, and to be valued.  We don’t want society to look at us and say, you need to be fixed; we want to break down – we want society to break down barriers and accessibility barriers for us so we can access the systems in society at large.  That’s anywhere in the world.   So when we’re designing programs, including inclusive employment, I want us to look at the system and say, how can we break down barriers?  How can we make sure this space is more inclusive and accessible?  It’s not just compliance; it’s actually breaking down barriers.  And how do we ensure that every single person’s potential is being addressed, but also, how do we really – in each community there are certain difficult conversations we might need to have, assumptions towards disability – some assumptions in societies that were too costly, were a burden, were different, were incapable.  We need to address those narratives as we are building solutions in the practices and the policies.  MODERATOR:  All right, thank you very much.  Our third question is:  “What are the challenges you have faced in promoting disability rights in your institutional priorities?” MS MINKARA:  Really good question.  I think disability – I call it a double-edged sword.  On one hand, wherever I travel, no one will say, oh, it’s not important, right?  It is an issue that people do want to work on or would like to have a conversation on, but in a lot of spaces it’s not prioritized.  In a lot of spaces, we’re still seen as a point of charity needed to be taken care of.  So a big part of our challenge has been actually disrupting the narrative.  A big part of the challenge has actually been able to showcase countries and societies and policy makers that disability inclusion is, like, actually a benefit to them, benefit to their work.  And I think that’s something that we want to continue on.  It helps everyone.  It helps our GDP.  It helps innovation.  And when you make a system accessible for persons with disabilities, it will benefit everyone.   So that’s the narrative that we need to continue working on.  And journalists like you guys can help kind of promote that narrative.   MODERATOR:  Okay, thank you.  Our next question is an excellent segue to what you were just discussing.  The question is:  “What do you tell people who ask, why should I care about disability rights?” MS MINKARA:  Ah.  Well, a couple of reasons.  One, why should we care?  The disability community is a big part of our – is a big percentage, 16 percent, of our populations; globally we are 1.3 billion.  When we exclude persons with disabilities from the economy it impacts our GPD up to 7 percent.  I think it’s more than that, but let’s say that.  When we don’t bring in the disability perspective, we actually lose out on amazing ways of making society accessible for everyone.  So, for instance, people don’t realize that text messaging came out of the need of the deaf community.  Ramps came out of the need of the – you know the curb cuts for the sidewalks, came out of the need of the wheelchair users, but everyone benefits from them, right?   So that’s on one layer, is it is a value to our society and economy at large.  But the second layer is, as we age, a lot of us become – gain more disability.  Anyone can be part of the disability community at any point in time.  Disability touches all of us at some point.  So it is an important element, important identity in our society.  MODERATOR:  All right, definitely a lot of food for thought there.  You mentioned in your previous answer the economic impacts of caring about disability rights, so that feeds into the next question, which is:  “What can companies do to promote greater economic participation for persons with disabilities?” MS MINKARA:  So I look at this in a few different layers.  One is, if we’re talking about employment, let’s actually journey map and see the different barriers of persons with disabilities when it comes to employment, reaching out the application process, reaching out with the disability community, making sure the application process is accessible when a person is employed, then how do we make sure we break down barriers within the system so they can actually raise – be able to go up in leadership, right?  There’s many different layers of barriers.  Let’s break that down.  I want corporations to break that down.  I’m not a fan of quotas because quotas are technical solutions to an adaptive problem.  When we’re talking about investment, a lot of companies might come in into a community, a society and invest, right?  And right now there’s a lot of talk around sustainable investment.  Well, let’s make sure it’s sustainable and accessible investment.  Let’s make sure accessibility is baked into any investment that companies do. Third layer is when sometimes you have a lot of corporations support – for instance Visa, Mastercard, all these different companies are supporting women-owned businesses.  How do we also make sure there’s a lot of support towards disabled-owned businesses, right?  So there’s many layers to this, but ultimately the first step is any company, bring the disability community to your kind of ecosystem.  Make sure you’re listening to the needs of the disability community and make sure that you’re working with them as you’re integrating disability into your own efforts.  MODERATOR:  Thank you.  You just mentioned that there are barriers to economic participation, so the next question is, in fact:  “What are some of the barriers to economic participation for persons with disabilities?”  MS MINKARA:  So barriers – there’s many layers to barriers, right?  People think it’s just infrastructure.  Infrastructure is one.  You have infrastructure – physical, right?  You have barriers in your educational system.  You have barriers within the technology that’s being developed.  Barriers within information that’s – and how communication is being brought forward, right?  So there’s many layers of barriers within – as we move forward in society.  That will then translate into economic barriers.  If my recollection is correct, WHO said – and I would definitely just double-check on this – WHO said that only 50 percent of persons with disabilities have access to the internet, right?  That in itself is a barrier.  There are statistics out there that says – I forgot the number fully, but 90-something percent of all websites out there in the world are not accessible, right?  So if you’re having all these different layers of barriers, then you’re not going to be able to full economic – participate in the economy.  So we need to make sure that there’s – address those barriers but we also need to address the narrative barriers.   MODERATOR:  All right, fantastic.  Thank you.  I think we only have time for a couple more questions.  But I do have a very interesting question here:  “How can assistive technology play a role in inclusive education initiatives?”  So assistive technology in education.  Interesting.  MS MINKARA:  I think assistive technology in education is really important.  I mean, I benefitted from that.  Again – but again, we need to make sure there’s assistive technology that’s being brought forward, but then also as we move forward more into digital education, any platforms that we’re designing for education, any softwares, are made accessible for everyone.  And I think it’s two layers, right; assistive technology, but I think it’s also the tools that are being developed, the courses, the online courses, everything, there’s an accessibility lens to it. Also the third layer is we need to ensure that all of our teachers are trained on inclusive education, right?  So there’s many layers it.  Yes, assistive technology is one important tool and variable towards inclusive education. MODERATOR:  All right.  Well, we all are, in fact, here from the U.S. Government, so this next question is very apt:  “What has the U.S. Government been doing to drive development and access to assistive technology for persons with disabilities?” MS MINKARA:  A good question.  So USAID is actually one of the founding members of AtScale, which is an entity that focuses on investing in assistive technology.  I definitely would look them up.  But in a lot of our work across USAID, across our embassies’ efforts, there’s been a lot of work on disability inclusion.  So I think in – and depending on the mission and the embassy, sometimes they focus more on inclusive education, et cetera, et cetera.  I would definitely look into, for instance, in Kenya, something that we – I was able to connect with and learn from is Sightsavers and the amazing work that they’re doing with farmers with disabilities in the supply chain, and also working with companies on getting retail distributors to be woman with a disability.   So I think there is a lot of great work that’s being done in different missions and embassies. MODERATOR:  Okay.  Well, I think we have time for one more question, then, before we wrap up.  And looking to the future – it’s a great question for looking for the – to the future:  “What are the benefits and risks presented by artificial intelligence for persons with disabilities?” MS MINKARA:  Ooh.  I like that question.  So one, if AI is – first, AI is being developed from limited data, and a lot of times biased data on disabilities.  So that is something for us to be very aware of, and careful, and really address.  Number two, if AI is being developed and it’s not – accessibility is not baked in, it can further marginalize us.  But on the other hand, if AI does bring in the right data and does bring in accessibility, it can be an amazing tool for us as a disability community to be able to further integrate into society. One example that I love to say is the chief accessibility officer for Microsoft was talking about during COVID one – one of their employees was deaf, because everyone went virtual and they started using Teams, the deaf employee is the one who created captioning, the automatic captioning for Teams, because that’s how he was going to be able to access what people were saying.  Who benefits from that?  Everyone that uses Teams, right?  So again, when you bake in accessibility to the AI, it will benefit everyone as well.  MODERATOR:  All right.  Special Advisor Minkara, you’ve been very generous with your time.  If you don’t mind, there has been one additional question which came in online.  And if you do have another couple of minutes, I would very much like to be able to take this question.   MS MINKARA:  Okay, definitely.  MODERATOR:  If you permit.  MS MINKARA:  Yes.  MODERATOR:  So the question is how do you – it comes from Francisco Govima of Govima Media.  The question is:  “How do you see the role of the United States in developing and promoting disability and inclusive entrepreneurship, particularly in international settings, such as the recent AmCham Business Summit in Nairobi?” MS MINKARA:  That’s a really good question.  So I see it in a few different ways.  One of our great networks in a lot of countries is the AmCham community, the American businesses, and how we ensure that – what our American businesses are in supporting different entrepreneurs and marginalized population.  How do we ensure that they are also supporting persons with disabilities, disability-owned entrepreneurs, ensuring that any of their services, any of their efforts are inclusive of disability and accessibility. So whether it’s through the AmCham, whether through the Commercial Business Affairs Office in the State Department, whether through USAID – and, like I mentioned, the Sightsavers programs – we need to ensure that people with disabilities are brought to the table through an economic lens, whether it’s entrepreneurs, employees, employers, and also breaking down barriers within trade and investment as well.   So really good question, and our embassies and our colleagues are one of our amazing players on the ground to help implement some of this work.  MODERATOR:  All right.  Thank you so much.  Well, we have really covered a lot of ground today, and unfortunately, our time is limited, and we’re just about at the end of the session here.  But Special Advisor Minkara, I wanted to ask whether you have any final words to share before we wrap up.  MS MINKARA:  Just saying thank you to all who participated and for the questions.  And please, please, please be part of the narrative change that we need to see when it comes to disability inclusion.  Please keep reporting on disability, and I just want to thank everyone.   MODERATOR:  All right.  Well, that was fantastic.  Thank you so much.  So that does conclude today’s briefing.  I want to thank the U.S. Department of State’s Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara for joining us today, and also thanks to all the journalists who participated and submitted questions.   A recording and a transcript of today’s briefing will be distributed to participating journalists as soon as we can produce them, and then we’ll be sending them out wider following that.  If you have any questions about today’s briefing, you may contact the Africa Regional Media Hub at AfMediaHub@state.gov.  I would also like to invite everyone to follow us on Twitter, or X, at our handle @AfricaMediaHub.  Thank you very much to everyone, and have a great day.    # # # 
- 2024 Interagency Fact Sheets HomeU.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability &#8230;2024 Interagency Fact Sheets				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										2024 Interagency Fact Sheets																																																																										The following fact sheets were created to provide a snapshot of efforts under the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) in each priority country/region.  Each fact sheet details the main objectives and lists a sample of activities that the wider U.S. government is leveraging for SPCPS.Coastal West AfricaHaitiLibyaMozambiquePapua New Guinea						Tags																					Benin																								Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations																								Côte d&#039;Ivoire																								Ghana																								Guinea																								Haiti																								Libya																								Mozambique																								Papua New Guinea																								Togo
- Mozambique HomeReportsBureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices&#8230;Mozambique				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Mozambique																																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																																																																																							Download Report																																																							Translations																																																																 In this section										/																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																																													EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																															Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																																									a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																																											b. Disappearance																																																																											c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																																			Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																																																		d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																																			Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																																																		e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																																			Trial Procedures																																																								Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																																																		f. Transnational Repression																																																																											g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																																											h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																																											i. Conflict-related Abuses																																																																																	Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																																									a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																																			Internet Freedom																																																																																																																		b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																																			Freedom of Peaceful Assembly																																																								Freedom of Association																																																																																																																		c. Freedom of Religion																																																																											d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																																											e. Protection of Refugees																																																																											f. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)																																																																																	Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																																									Elections and Political Participation																																																																																	Section 4. Corruption in Government																															Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																															Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																																									Women																																																																											Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																																											Children																																																																											Antisemitism																																																																											Trafficking in Persons																																																																											Forced Organ Harvesting																																																																											Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																																											Persons with Disabilities																																																																											Other Societal Violence or Discrimination																																																																																	Section 7. Worker Rights																																																									a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																																											b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																																											c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																																											d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																																											e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																																																																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY				Mozambique experienced several incidents of serious violence and intimidation related to municipal elections in October. These included some violent police reactions to protests by opposition supporters angry due to credible reports of election malfeasance and harassment of media reporting on voting and tabulation processes.Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings; enforced disappearances; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest or detention; serious abuses in a conflict, including unlawful and widespread civilian deaths or harm, abductions, physical abuses, and conflict-related sexual violence or punishment; unlawful use of child soldiers by nonstate actors; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence and threats of violence against journalists and unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly; serious government corruption; extensive gender-based violence and a lack of investigation of and accountability for such violence; and the existence of the worst forms of child labor.The government took credible steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish some officials who committed human rights abuses; however, impunity among state security force members, law enforcement officers, and civilian authorities remained a significant problem.During the year, ISIS-Mozambique continued to perpetrate violent attacks against government security forces and civilian populations in Cabo Delgado Province. Through joint operations with Rwandan forces, and separately with Southern African Development Community forces, government and allied forces reclaimed territory seized by ISIS-Mozambique, allowing many displaced persons to return to their homes and some government services to resume. Nevertheless, attacks on civilian targets continued. ISIS-Mozambique fighters moved into the western districts of Cabo Delgado Province, thereby increasing the number of internally displaced persons from those areas. The government continued the process of reconstruction and facilitation of humanitarian assistance to displaced residents in reclaimed areas. Human rights organizations, media, and the government reported terrorists committed human rights abuses against civilians that included beheadings, kidnappings, and the unlawful use of child soldiers. ISIS-Mozambique abducted and forcefully displaced civilians, burned homes, and destroyed infrastructure. Security force abuses allegedly included arbitrary arrest and detention and extrajudicial killings. Authorities investigated some reports of abuses, but few persons were charged and prosecuted.																														Section 1.													 Respect for the Integrity of the Person												    																																																a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings										There were reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, during the year. Media reports attributed abuses to members of the security forces, including the Armed Defense Forces of Mozambique, National Police (PRM), the PRM Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR), and government-affiliated local militias in Cabo Delgado Province. The Attorney General’s Office was responsible for investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of security force killings deemed unjustifiable; however, according to civil society groups, the government failed to investigate many reports of abuses.In January in Tete Province, media reported three armed individuals kidnapped and killed Rafael Diquissone, a representative from opposition party Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo); a Renamo spokesperson claimed witnesses identified the perpetrators as wearing UIR uniforms. In July a dancer named Macassar Abacar died in police custody in Maputo; police attributed his death to drug use and a stroke, but his family and civil society advocates accused police of beating him to death.																																				b. Disappearance										There were reports of disappearances, including a few by or on behalf of civilian or military authorities.There were multiple reports of kidnappings for ransom targeted at individuals linked to the business community, with some allegations that the perpetrators could have been abetted by law enforcement officers. In May the prime minister stated the government was setting up a specialized police unit to address kidnappings for ransom. She noted two National Criminal Investigation Service and two PRM officers were among those charged with kidnapping.The government made some efforts to investigate and punish acts of forced disappearance by law enforcement officers. As of December the government had yet to identify a suspect or hold anyone accountable for the 2021 abduction of Rwandan opposition figure and asylum seeker Cassien Ntamuhanga.																																				c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses										Although the constitution and law prohibited such practices, there were credible reports authorities mistreated detainees and engaged in reprisals against civilians following terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado Province.There were multiple reports of police abuse, including in response to protests. In March activist youths organized marches throughout the country to honor deceased rapper and social activist Azagaia. Police disrupted many events with assaults on demonstrators using teargas. For example, during a demonstration police attacked a young demonstrator, causing the loss of an eye. Although President Nyusi accused demonstrators of planning to create disorder, he acknowledged police responded with disproportionate force. At a later demonstration on October 12 and 13, police reportedly shot and killed a least one protester and injured others when they fired at demonstrators protesting election results in Chiure, Cabo Delgado Province and Vilankulos, Inhambane Province.According to human rights activists, impunity was a significant problem within the security forces, particularly forces operating in Cabo Delgado Province.																Prison and Detention Center Conditions						Prison conditions remained harsh and potentially life threatening in most areas due to gross overcrowding, inadequate sanitary conditions, and limited medical care.Abusive Physical Conditions: Government officials and civil society organizations cited serious problems of overcrowding, poor nutrition, poor hygiene, and inadequate medical care. According to the Attorney General’s Office, prisons were at 245 percent capacity; 21,769 prisoners occupied space with a capacity of 8,873.The Attorney General’s Office conducted a survey of police station detentions that determined centers for undocumented immigrants were unsuitable and ordered the release and repatriation of 263 individuals and the hospitalization of detainees with untreated medical needs.Administration: Authorities conducted some investigations of credible allegations of mistreatment. Although no formal system specific to prisons existed for receiving or tracking complaints, prisoners were free to contact the Attorney General’s Office, the national ombudsperson, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with complaints. Members of civil society reported prisoners were reluctant to raise complaints of mistreatment during visits due to the presence of prison guards or other prison officials. According to the attorney general’s 2022 Annual Report to the National Assembly, the government issued guidance for inspections of penitentiary institutions aimed at improving organization and function. The report noted 175 disciplinary proceedings against prison guards in 2022 for unspecified offenses; the results included demotions, fines, firings, and criminal charges.Independent Monitoring: International and domestic human rights groups had access to prisoners at the discretion of the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional, and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior. Access was not always approved; however, the Mozambican Bar Association (OAM) and the National Human Rights Commission had a high degree of access to prisons run by the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional, and Religious Affairs. The Ministry of Justice reported it incorporated human rights into prison guard training related to the treatment of persons accused or convicted of terrorism.																										d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention										The constitution and law prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court. The government generally observed these requirements; however, civil society groups reported instances of arbitrary arrest or detention by police related to protests regarding municipal elections and deceased rapper and social activist Azagaia in Maputo and provincial capitals. On October 12, the Renamo mayor of Quelimane was arrested following nationwide municipal elections and released hours later without charge. On October 31, following largely peaceful protest marches by Renamo supporters in Maputo, police arrested 30 demonstrators they accused of violence. A court found no evidence to support charges of violence and released them later that day.																Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees						Apart from operations countering terrorism in northern Cabo Delgado Province, authorities generally did not detain suspects without judicial authorization. By law judges were required to first issue an arrest warrant unless a suspect was caught in the act of committing a crime. The maximum length of investigative detention was 48 hours without a warrant or four months with a warrant, during which time a detainee had the right to judicial review of the case. A person accused of a crime carrying a potential maximum sentence if convicted of more than eight years’ imprisonment could be detained up to an additional two months without being formally charged while police completed their investigation. A court could approve a further six-month extension, up to a total of 12 months, in the case of exceptionally complex crimes. The detainee had to be released if no charges were brought within the prescribed period for investigation. The maximum period of detention prior to trial completion was 18 months, or 24 months on complex crimes charges, and 60 months on terrorism charges. Authorities, however, did not always respect these legal requirements. There were provisions for bail.The law provided for citizens’ right to access the courts and the right to legal representation, regardless of ability to pay for such services. The Institute of Sponsorship and Legal Assistance and the Mozambican Bar Association provided legal assistance and counseling to some indigent defendants; however, many received no legal representation due to a shortage of legal professionals willing to work without charge. There were no reports of suspects held incommunicado or under house arrest.In April the prosecutor general reported the establishment of 32 magistrate groups to review arrest and detention records of individuals who alleged extralegal detention or procedural mistakes.Arbitrary Arrest: There were credible reports that in some cases authorities arrested, tried, and convicted individuals for terrorism without sufficient evidence.Pretrial Detention: Lengthy pretrial detention continued to be a serious problem due to a lack of judges and prosecutors and poor communication among authorities. In September OAM stated overly lengthy pretrial detention constituted a grave human rights abuse and contributed to prison overcrowding. According to OAM, changes to prescribed pretrial detention periods in the penal code were unconstitutional and could lead to indefinite pretrial detention for cases involving terrorism and complex crimes.																										e. Denial of Fair Public Trial										The constitution and law provided for an independent judiciary, and the government generally respected judicial independence and impartiality. Some civil society groups asserted, however, the executive branch and ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) party exerted influence on an understaffed and inadequately trained judiciary.																Trial Procedures						The constitution and law provided for the right to a fair and public trial and the judiciary generally enforced this right.						Political Prisoners and Detainees						There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees.																										f. Transnational Repression										Not applicable.																																				g. Property Seizure and Restitution										Not applicable.																																				h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence										The constitution and law prohibited arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence; however, there were reports the government at times failed to respect the privacy of personal communications, particularly those of civil society activists and journalists. Some civil society activists stated government intelligence services and operatives of Frelimo monitored telephone calls and emails without warrants, conducted surveillance of their offices, followed opposition members, used informants, and disrupted opposition party activities in certain areas.																																				i. Conflict-related Abuses										Terrorists affiliated with ISIS-Mozambique in Cabo Delgado Province reportedly committed acts of terrorism against civilians, including beheadings, rape, sexual slavery, kidnappings, and use of child soldiers. ISIS-Mozambique continued attacks in Cabo Delgado Province throughout the year. In February attacks in Montepuez District displaced approximately 11,000 residents. ISIS-Mozambique reportedly engaged in attacks that targeted and killed dozens of civilians.Killings: There were allegations of unlawful killings by government forces fighting ISIS-Mozambique in Cabo Delgado Province. On June 9, members of the Defense and Security Forces allegedly killed a teacher in Mocimboa da Praia. On August 16, members of the Mozambican Armed Forces reportedly shot and killed a fisherman in Macomia District.According to the Armed Conflict Location &amp; Event Data Project, ISIS-Mozambique killed approximately 62 civilians as of mid-September, a significant decrease from 2022. Nevertheless, media continued to report numerous abuses. For example, media reported violent extremists launched a series of attacks in January and February in Mueda, Montepuez, and Meluco Districts, setting fire to houses and vehicles, beheading and killing civilians, and abducting women.Abductions: Terrorists affiliated with ISIS-Mozambique abducted civilians during raids on villages in Cabo Delgado Province. In 2021 media reported ISIS-Mozambique subjected hundreds of abducted women and girls to rape, forced marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV).Physical Abuse, Punishment, and Torture: Local communities complained of abuses against civilians by government security forces in Cabo Delgado Province. Militia known as Naparamas allegedly harassed travelers, particularly women, at vehicle checkpoints in certain districts. On June 19, media reported the attempted rape by three government security force members of a woman in Mocimboa da Praia. On July 24, police detained a government security force member for the alleged rape of a woman in Nangade.ISIS-Mozambique committed widespread physical abuse, indiscriminate punishment, rape, and torture of noncombatants in Cabo Delgado Province.Other Conflict-related Abuse: There were reports of authorities forcing or coercing the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes in some districts in Cabo Delgado by threatening to limit access to relief services. There were also reports of ISIS-Mozambique attacks on health-care facilities. In July 2022, the UN secretary-general’s Children and Armed Conflict Report designated Mozambique a situation of concern due to the number of children killed and wounded in Cabo Delgado Province and reports of sexual violence, abductions, attacks on hospitals, and denial of aid.In January a video circulated on social media purporting to show South African National Defence Force and other unidentified troops allegedly burning terrorist corpses in the north of the country. The South African Defence Force and Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique issued statements condemning these abuses and promising investigations, but the government remained silent. No findings of accountability were announced by year’s end.																																					Section 2.													 Respect for Civil Liberties												    																																																a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media										The constitution and law provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media. The government did not always effectively protect or respect these freedoms. Academics, journalists, opposition party officials, and civil society organizations reported an atmosphere of intimidation and fear that restricted freedom of speech, the press, and other media. Journalists expressed concern regarding government intimidation by security forces, especially police, and stated they practiced self-censorship due to fear of official retaliation.Freedom of Expression: There were no official restrictions on the ability of individuals to criticize the government or on the discussion of matters of public interest. Nevertheless, journalists and opposition and civil society members complained they feared reprisal when they criticized the government.Violence and Harassment: Journalists were subjected to violence, harassment, or intimidation due to their reporting and stated they practiced self-censorship.The Committee to Protect Journalists reported five border police officers in Zambezia Province in January beat radio journalist Rosario Cardoso with batons after he accused them of eliciting bribes. Cardoso also alleged officials at the local police station initially refused to register his complaint but eventually relented.The Media Institute of Southern Africa in Mozambique (MISA) reported the mayor of the city of Nampula, a member of opposition party Renamo, in June refused to allow two reporters from state-affiliated broadcaster TV Mozambique whom he accused of bias to attend a municipal event. The mayor also confiscated the cellphone of a Wampula Fax newspaper journalist he accused of being “a spy.”On October 11, during municipal elections, a police officer in Beira allegedly assaulted a reporter from Televisao Academica and in Quelimane a police officer seized the microphone and cell phone of a Radio Zambezia journalist reporting on alleged ballot box stuffing.Censorship or Content Restrictions for Members of the Press and Other Media, Including Online Media: Media outlets and individual journalists regularly reported on a broad range of topics and criticized the government, Frelimo, and prominent political figures. Most critical articles did not result in retaliation from the government or Frelimo. Civil society organizations and journalists, however, stated the government and Frelimo exerted substantial pressure on media and took retaliatory action when unspecified limits were crossed, particularly related to investigations on sensitive topics, such as Cabo Delgado Province and corruption.Civil society leaders alleged the government influenced the management of community radio stations through threats and coercion. One activist claimed under government pressure some television stations censored the content of interviews concerning the March demonstrations honoring deceased rapper and social activist Azagaia.Libel/Slander Laws: By law conviction of defamation and slander was punishable by imprisonment of up to one year and a fine. The laws were enforced.In June the National Criminal Investigation Service investigated television journalist Leonardo Gimo on charges of criminal defamation following his reporting on alleged police corruption in Nampula Province. Gimo was also charged with child endangerment for allegedly disseminating a video on corruption deemed detrimental to the wellbeing of three children who appeared in it. Although the court acquitted Gimo on child-endangerment charges, defamation charges remained at year’s end.																Internet Freedom						The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content; however, there were reports the government or Frelimo operatives monitored social media and private online communications without appropriate legal authority. For example, members of civil society reported government intelligence agents monitored email and used false names to infiltrate social network discussion groups; internet freedom advocates believed the intelligence service monitored online content critical of the government.MISA-Mozambique reported an increase in cyberattacks on independent news outlets. For example, in May the newsroom computers and LinkedIn pages of independent newspaper Profundus were hacked and in June the Facebook pages of TV Sucesso and Grande Media TV were interrupted temporarily.There were interruptions of online access during the October municipal elections. On October 11, during the vote tabulation process, WhatsApp was blocked for most users nationwide. On October 14, the Facebook page of a prominent Renamo candidate was blocked for more than an hour and the independent newspaper Ikweli’s website was down for approximately one hour.																										b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association										While the constitution and law provided for the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, the government limited these freedoms.																Freedom of Peaceful Assembly						Although by law government authorization was not required to demonstrate peacefully, local authorities required notification at least four business days in advance of a planned demonstration. Civil society leaders reported instances of police intimidation when delivering petitions to government offices.Security forces sometimes responded to peaceful demonstrations with violence and arrests. In March citizens demonstrated peacefully throughout the country to commemorate popular rapper and social activist Azagaia. Police responded with intimidation, crowd dispersal with teargas, detentions of some demonstrators, and in some cases, violence.In July 2022 police prevented civil society representatives from holding a vigil for Macassar Abacar, a man who died in police custody in Maputo. Authorities contended the vigil could have led to public disorder.						Freedom of Association						At year’s end the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional, and Religious Affairs had not acted on the request for registration of the Mozambican Association for the Defense of Sexual Minorities (LAMBDA), the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) advocacy NGO. LAMBDA’s registration request had been pending since 2008.																										c. Freedom of Religion										See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at  https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.																																				d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country										The constitution and law provided for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights; however, some civilians in Cabo Delgado Province reported occasional movement restrictions due to security constraints related to the ISIS-Mozambique insurgency.																																				e. Protection of Refugees										The government generally cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to refugees, returning refugees, or asylum seekers, as well as other persons of concern. Nevertheless, the 2021 disappearance in the country of former Rwandan opposition figure and asylum seeker Cassien Ntamuhanga and the killings in 2021 and 2022 of Rwandan businessman and refugee Revocant Karemangingo and Rwandan asylum seeker Selemani Masiya alarmed refugees and civil society organizations.Access to Asylum: The law provided for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government had established a system for providing protection to refugees. As of August, UNHCR reported 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers in the country. Approximately 25,000 refugee-status-determination cases awaited final processing. The government had not resolved new cases in more than 10 years; however, the National Institute for Refugee Support stated the country gave asylees the same rights and privileges as refugees. Asylum seeker status did not confer the same level of international protections as holding refugee status. Although the government maintained an exception to the UN refugee convention relating to freedom of movement for refugees and the ability to work lawfully, those exceptions were not enforced.Rwandan refugee representatives expressed concern regarding their safety due to the presence of Rwandan security forces in Cabo Delgado Province and after Rwandan asylum seeker Cassien Ntamuhanga disappeared. In July 2022 unknown assailants killed Rwandan opposition figure and asylum seeker Selemani Masiya in Nampula City. Police reportedly opened an investigation but had yet to provide findings or make arrests at year’s end.Freedom of Movement: Some refugees complained the government refused to renew travel documents, preventing them from leaving the country. Asylum seekers applying for refugee status alleged the government prevented travel by refusing to process their applications.Durable Solutions: The government worked closely with UNHCR to implement a local integration program for refugees, primarily in urban communities, but also at the Maratane Camp in Nampula Province. Refugees could apply for citizenship after five years in the country; however, some refugees complained of unexplained and indefinite delays in the processing of naturalization petitions. UNHCR referred some refugees for third-country resettlement; however, the lack of a final decision on refugee status limited the number of individuals eligible for resettlement. As of August, UNHCR facilitated the voluntary return of 65 refugees to Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burundi.																																				f. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)										As of June the International Organization for Migration estimated there were approximately 834,300 IDPs in the country due to violence in northern Mozambique and approximately 313,000 persons who remained displaced due to catastrophic cyclones since 2019.NGOs continued to report displaced women and girls remained at high risk of GBV. Reports of abuses included transactional sex with local officials and security officers in exchange for food and other essential commodities. International organizations supporting IDPs stated women reported increased aggression and violence from male partners because they were cut off from social protection systems.The government subscribed to the safe, voluntary, dignified return or local integration of IDPs, and its policies were in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. Nevertheless, authorities did not always follow government policy, and there were incidents of the movement or relocation of IDPs that was not safe, voluntary, and dignified. Authorities limited access to some areas of Cabo Delgado Province.For further information regarding IDPs in the country, please see the materials of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center at  https://www.internal-displacement.org .																																					Section 3.													 Freedom to Participate in the Political Process												    																						The constitution and law provided citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on universal and equal suffrage; however, civil society organizations and opposition parties stated citizens did not enjoy equal access to political processes.																										Elections and Political Participation										Abuses or Irregularities in Recent Elections: In 2019 the government held national elections for president, parliament, and the provincial assembly. Domestic and international observers noted voting-day procedures were generally orderly but lacked transparency and accountability during vote tabulation. The EU, the Commonwealth of Nations, and civil society organizations reported significant irregularities, including the arrest and intimidation of some opposition observers; intentional spoiling of ballots; vote falsification; and inordinately high voter turnout in some districts that indicated ballot-box stuffing. Opposition parties and civil society complained of acts of violence, intimidation, and bias by the government and Frelimo operatives.The two major opposition parties, Renamo and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique, protested the election results, but the Constitutional Council, while acknowledging irregularities, certified the re-election of President Nyusi with 73 percent of the vote and affirmed Frelimo won more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats, the vast majority of the provincial assembly seats, and all 10 provincial governorships.Municipal elections held on October 11 were largely peaceful, but marred by significant irregularities and lack of transparency, which ultimately prompted widespread protests. Following allegations of manipulation to limit numbers of opposition voters during the voter registration process, election day saw additional accusations of irregularities, including ballot box stuffing, repeat voting and “ghost” voting under assumed names, police intimidation, improprieties by poll workers, substitution of fraudulent vote counts for legitimate ones, and limits on some media coverage of vote tabulations.Political Parties and Political Participation: Frelimo dominated the political process since the country’s independence in 1975. Opposition political parties could legally operate, yet there were occasional restrictions on meetings, and other forms of interference and harassment by the government.Opposition parties and civil society organizations complained that authorities manipulated procedures to favor Frelimo and disenfranchise opposition supporters, including through the voter registration process and misuse of voter registration equipment.Participation of Women and Members of Marginalized or Vulnerable Groups: Persons with disabilities faced barriers to participating in democratic processes, including a lack of access to information and election infrastructure.																																					Section 4.													 Corruption in Government												    																						The law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials; however, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials often engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. During the year there were numerous reports of corruption in all branches and at all levels of government.Corruption: Corruption, including extortion by police, remained widespread. Police regularly stopped vehicles for alleged infractions solely to extort bribes. Some police and immigration officials demanded payment at control points and border crossings. Public prosecutors faced threats due to their efforts to investigate and prosecute corruption.There were several cases of public corruption involving active and former government officials arrested and charged with crimes. In April the prosecutor general reported 1,639 corruption cases were registered in 2022, a 28 percent increase from 2021.The government continued to appeal a South African court’s decision to extradite former Finance Minister Manuel Chang to the United States on charges related to a two billion dollar “hidden debts” bribe and kickback scheme during the administration of the previous president. On July 12, Chang was extradited to the United States. Following their convictions in December 2022, 11 other defendants in the case, including the son of a former president, began serving sentences of 10 to 12 years’ imprisonment.For additional information regarding corruption in the country, please see the Department of State’s Investment Climate Statement for the country, and the Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which included information on financial crimes.																											Section 5.													 Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights												    																						Several domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction to monitor or investigate human rights conditions or cases and publish their findings. Government officials were somewhat cooperative and responsive to the views of these groups. The government had yet to act on the registration request pending since 2008 of a local LGBTQI+ rights advocacy organization. The government denied or delayed NGO access to areas where credible allegations of abuses by security forces occurred, particularly in Cabo Delgado Province. Human rights activists in Cabo Delgado Province reported harassment and intimidation by police in gaining access to and interviewing IDPs.Government Human Rights Bodies: The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) was mandated to promote and defend the human rights provisions of the constitution and law. Its stated priorities included addressing cases of police violence and torture, judicial corruption, and abuses of prisoner rights. The CNDH lacked authority to prosecute abuses and had to refer cases to the judiciary. Commission members were chosen by political parties, civil society, the prime minister, and the Mozambican Bar Association. Although the CNDH was an active human rights advocate, its lack of resources and formal staff training in human rights hindered its effectiveness.																											Section 6.													 Discrimination and Societal Abuses												    																																																Women										Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalized rape regardless of gender or sexual orientation, including spousal and domestic or intimate partner rape and other forms of domestic and sexual violence including so-called corrective rape of LGBTQI+ persons. Penalties for conviction ranged from two to eight years’ imprisonment if the survivor was age 12 or older and 20 to 24 years’ imprisonment if the survivor was younger than age 12. The government did not effectively enforce domestic abuse law.Conviction of abuse of a spouse or unmarried partner, regardless of gender, was punishable by no less than one to two years’ imprisonment. Survivors often decided not to file charges or perpetrators fled arrest. Many cases of domestic violence were not reported to authorities. According to NGO and media reports, many families preferred to settle rape allegations through informal community courts or privately through financial remuneration or marriage rather than through the formal judicial system.NGOs stated domestic violence against women remained widespread. International organizations and NGOs supporting the IDP population in Cabo Delgado Province reported rape, sexual exploitation and abuse, and other forms of GBV, including reports of GBV perpetrated by ISIS-Mozambique, and of women and girls fleeing from attacks or abductions. Human rights NGOs alleged some community leaders and individuals involved in humanitarian assistance programs engaged in the sexual exploitation of women IDPs in exchange for providing food and shelter support.Government agencies and NGOs implemented public outreach campaigns to combat violence against women nationwide. In March 2022 the Maputo City Department of Gender, Children, and Social Action published a guide on reporting GBV in collaboration with MISA-Mozambique and women rights organizations. Police and NGOs worked together to combat domestic violence. The PRM operated special women and children’s units within police precincts that dealt with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and violence-against-children cases.Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): The law prohibited FGM/C. NGOs and the government stated the incidence of FGM/C was low, but there were no reliable estimates of the incidence of FGM/C.Other Forms of Gender-based Violence or Harassment: The practice of “purification,” whereby a widow was obligated to have unprotected sex with a member of her deceased husband’s family, occurred, particularly in rural areas, despite campaigns against it.In August the National Assembly updated labor law to include additional penalties for workplace sexual harassment. Accordingly, an employer determined to have sexually harassed an employee would be liable to pay the employee compensation equal to 20 times the minimum wage.Discrimination: While the law provided the same legal status and rights for women as for men, the government did not enforce the law effectively. The law required equal pay for equal work and prohibited discrimination based on gender in hiring, although the government did not always enforce the law. The law included provisions limiting excessive physical work or night-shift requirements during pregnancy.Women generally received lower wages than men and faced cultural and legal barriers in accessing the judiciary and inheritance. According to World Economic Forum estimates, the average income for women amounted to 77 percent of that of men.Women experienced economic discrimination. Gaps in education and income between men and women remained high. In some regions, particularly in the north, women had limited access to the judicial system for enforcement of rights provided by the civil code and instead relied on customary law to settle disputes.Enforcement of laws that protected women’s rights to land ownership in the formal economy remained inadequate. For example, under customary law women typically did not inherit land.Women with disabilities faced additional barriers to education, employment, and the judicial process, in part due to a lack of access to information and the government’s limited capacity to provide necessary accommodations. Women with disabilities were particularly vulnerable to GBV and other types of abuse.Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities.Couples and individuals had limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and family planning services. Additionally, social and cultural norms, including early marriage and childbearing, families with many children, and stigmatization of discussion of sexual topics with adolescents, hindered effective access. Although there was no legal requirement for a spouse or family member to authorize access to reproductive health services, women often relied on male partners to make health-care decisions for them. Lesbian and bisexual women reported discrimination in accessing sexual and reproductive health care. Women and girls displaced due to the violence in Cabo Delgado Province and climate-related disasters faced high barriers to access reproductive health services.The government provided some access to sexual and reproductive health services, including emergency contraception, for survivors of sexual violence. The government’s Health Sector Gender Inclusion Strategy 2018-2023 provided for policies, standards, and multisectoral coordination with partners and civil society to address GBV.According to a February report from the Citizens’ Health Observatory, 41 percent of women ages 25 to 35 who gave birth in public health facilities in Maputo, Inhambane, and Sofala provinces had suffered obstetric violence. The report identified gaps in knowledge regarding obstetric violence among patients and failures of medical practitioners to follow public health guidance and best practices.According to the National Institute of Statistics 2023 Mozambique Maternal Mortality Report, the maternal mortality rate was 654 deaths per 100,000 births. The main factors were the lack of access to and availability of quality prenatal health care and emergency care of complications, such as hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and sepsis during childbirth. The adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 girls and women between ages 15 and 19) in 2018 was 146. Women in poor communities, typically in remote, rural areas with limited access to health care, had a higher maternal mortality rate.In some areas of the country, sociocultural barriers regarding menstruation limited girls’ autonomy, and a lack of access to menstrual hygiene management in schools contributed to absenteeism.																																				Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination										The constitution and law prohibited discrimination based on race or ethnicity, and the government enforced the law effectively.																																				Children										Birth Registration: Failure to register a child’s birth could result in the child’s inability to attend school and could prevent a person from obtaining public documents, such as identity cards, passports, or “poverty certificates” that provided for access to free health care and free secondary education. Birth registration was often delayed in rural areas. Cultural practice sometimes prevented a woman, especially in rural areas, from exercising her legal right to register a child without the presence of the child’s father.Child Abuse: The Child Protection Law provided for protection against physical and sexual abuse; removal of children from parents unable to protect, assist, and educate them; and juvenile courts to deal with matters of adoption, maintenance, and regulating parental power. Juvenile courts had wide discretion regarding sentencing. The law required a minimum of 16 to 20 years’ imprisonment for conviction of trafficking in persons. The government generally enforced the law, but a lack of investigation capacity and victim services limited effectiveness.While the government stressed the importance of children’s rights and welfare, significant problems remained. In September 2022 the government disseminated findings from the Mozambique Violence Against Children and Youth Survey and convened stakeholders to develop a national action plan to combat child abuse. The government established a coordination mechanism at the national, provincial, and district levels to prevent and respond to child abuse; nonetheless, NGOs reported significant underreporting of child abuse cases due in part to a lack of trust in the legal referral aspect of the mechanism.Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: By law the minimum age of marriage for men and women was 18. NGOs reported limited public awareness and poor enforcement of the law. Nevertheless, officials arrested and sentenced some individuals for involvement in child marriages. The government conducted awareness campaigns and trained some Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Action officials on gender equality and GBV.The United Nations reported terrorists in Cabo Delgado Province kidnapped girls and subjected them to forced marriages.Sexual Exploitation of Children: The minimum age for consensual sex was 16. The law prohibited the commercial sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. According to civil society organizations, due to limited law enforcement capacity, exploitation of children and child trafficking remained a problem. Girls experienced sexual exploitation and human trafficking in bars, roadside clubs, and restaurants. NGOs stated trafficking of children was most prevalent in the provinces of Maputo Nampula, Sofala, Gaza, and Manica; in border towns; and at overnight stopping points along key transportation routes. Media reported the incidence of child sex trafficking increased in 2022, citing rising living costs, poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and corruption.																																				Antisemitism										The country had a small Jewish community. There were no known reports of antisemitic incidents.																																				Trafficking in Persons										See the Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				Forced Organ Harvesting										According to NGOs AlbiMoz and Amor a Vida, which advocated for persons with albinism, assailants kidnapped, maimed, or killed persons with albinism to sell their body parts to traditional healers. In some cases assailants were relatives of the victims.																																				Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics										Criminalization: No law criminalized consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, nor were any seemingly neutral laws enforced disproportionately against LGBTQI+ persons.Violence and Harassment: There were no media or civil society reports police or other government agents incited, perpetrated, condoned, or tolerated violence or harassment against LGBTQI+ individuals or those reporting such abuse. There were reports of violence or harassment by nonstate actors against LGBTQI+ persons or those reporting such abuse. For example, LGBTQI+ organizations reported some lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women were survivors of “corrective rape,” and that many LGBTQI+ youth experienced family violence. No hate-crime laws or other criminal justice mechanisms existed to aid in the prosecution of bias-motivated crimes against LGBTQI+ persons.Discrimination: The law did not prohibit discrimination by state or nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, except in employment. Nevertheless, labor rights advocates stated noncompliance with the employment regulations was widespread, and enforcement poor. The law did not recognize LGBTQI+ couples or their families and did not grant them rights equal to rights of other persons.The Fifth National Action Plan to Combat HIV/AIDS (2021-2025) denounced discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, a policy human rights advocates stated would decrease stigma.Civil society organizations reported some discrimination in public medical facilities and schools. Medical staff sometimes refused to provide treatment or chastised LGBTQI+ individuals for their LGBTQI+ status when they sought treatment. Lesbian and bisexual women reported discrimination in accessing reproductive and sexual health care. NGOs stated discrimination against LGBTQI+ students was widespread and contributed to lower school completion rates among LGBTQI+ students.There were reports of societal discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including family members evicting LGBTQI+ individuals from their homes.Availability of Legal Gender Recognition: The law did not permit individuals to change their gender identity marker on legal and identifying documents to bring them into alignment with their gender identity.Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices: Cases of “corrective” rape were reported by LGBTQI+ advocacy organizations. Civil society did not report unnecessary surgeries on nonconsenting intersex persons or other involuntary or coercive medical or psychological practices.Restrictions of Freedom of Expression, Association, or Peaceful Assembly: LAMBDA continued to be unsuccessful in its effort to legally register as an NGO. In 2017 the Constitutional Court ruled LAMBDA and other groups could not be precluded from registration based on “morality” but did not direct the government to grant official recognition to LAMBDA. At year’s end the Administrative Tribunal, the highest jurisdiction for administrative matters, had not responded to LAMBDA’s request specifically seeking to compel the government to act on its registration application. Other LGBTQI+ organizations reported similar barriers to registration.																																				Persons with Disabilities										The constitution and law prohibited discrimination with respect to disability. The law did not differentiate among physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities regarding access to education, employment, health services, information, communications, buildings, transportation, the judicial system, or other state services. Discrimination in hiring against persons with disabilities was common, and access to employment continued to be a serious problem.The government generally enforced applicable law. Penalties for violations were not commensurate with laws relating to other civil rights matters.Persons with disabilities could not access education, health services, public buildings, and transportation on an equal basis with others. While the law recognized the right to education for persons with disabilities, the government did not effectively prevent discrimination and exclusion of persons with disabilities. Although the law specified accessibility standards for public institutions and private institutions that serve the public, public buildings were often not accessible to persons with disabilities. The law provided for individuals to request the government dispense information in an accessible format, but public institutions were not generally equipped to do so. There were no laws providing for access to transportation for persons with disabilities, and NGOs reported individuals were often charged for transporting their wheelchairs when using public transportation. NGOs also reported persons with disabilities faced discrimination and harassment at airports.NGOs alleged a lack of access to appropriate services led some individuals to chain or imprison relatives with psychosocial disabilities ostensibly to keep them safe. Women and girls with disabilities remained vulnerable to rape and sexual abuse, and NGOs reported such cases rarely led to arrest and prosecution. For example, according to a local civil society organization, some employees at the state-run Infulene Psychiatric Hospital in Maputo accused of physical or verbal abuse of patients did not face criminal liability.Discrimination was common in private-sector and government employment, access to health care, and the provision of other services. Observers often cited unequal access to employment as one of the biggest problems. Doctors reported many families abandoned family members with disabilities at the Infulene Psychiatric Hospital. The Mozambican Association of Persons with Disabilities reported access to equipment, such as wheelchairs, was a challenge due to lengthy and complicated importation procedures.Children with disabilities attended school through the secondary level at a lower rate than other children, and NGOs reported some public and private schools did not accept students with disabilities, leading some parents to homeschool children with disabilities such as autism.Media and civil society organizations reported persons with disabilities faced barriers to participating in political processes.																																				Other Societal Violence or Discrimination										The government denounced violence against persons with albinism. Courts tended to sentence those convicted of the kidnapping and murder of persons with albinism more harshly than those convicted of similar crimes that did not involve persons with albinism. In February a court in Nampula Province sentenced five defendants convicted of the July 2022 murder of a person with albinism to terms of eight to 30 years’ imprisonment. According to the CNDH, from 2014 through 2022 approximately 114 persons with albinism disappeared. Authorities opened criminal cases against more than 55 individuals accused of involvement in these disappearances.Both civil society and authorities reported occurrences of violence against the elderly, along with complaints of abandonment and mistreatment. In 2022 the government issued its National Action Plan for the Elderly 2022-2029 to reduce discrimination and protect the rights of the elderly.The law prohibited discrimination with respect to employment and occupation based on race, religion, national origin, color, sex, ethnicity, social status, political ideology, disability, sexual orientation, and HIV, AIDS, or refugee status. The law did not prohibit discrimination based on age. Ministry of Labor generally intervened in cases of perceived discrimination against workers with HIV or AIDS status by employers. There were no public reports of individuals dismissed because of their HIV-positive status.Nonetheless, HIV-related stigma and discrimination, social exclusion, and abuse were prevalent, including in employment, housing, access to education, and health care. Stigma and discrimination prevented some individuals from using HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment services. Many women were reportedly expelled from their homes and abandoned by their husbands and relatives because they were HIV-positive. Family or community members accused some women widowed by AIDS of being witches who purposely infected their husbands to acquire belongings; as retribution, they deprived the women of all possessions. The government trained health workers to conduct public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS.There were multiple media reports of the Ministry of Labor suspending the contracts of irregular foreign workers. Some foreign workers reported harassment by Ministry of Labor inspectors after disputes with Mozambican coworkers and being forced to pay bribes for work permits or leave the country.																																					Section 7.													 Worker Rights												    																																																a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining										The constitution and law provided for workers, with limited exceptions, to form and join independent trade unions, conduct legal strikes, and bargain collectively. The law required government approval to establish a union. By law the government could take up to 45 days to register unions, a delay the International Labor Organization deemed excessive. By law the government, political parties, and religious institutions could not interfere with the organization and direction of trade union associations. The law provided for the right of workers to organize and engage in collective bargaining.The law did not allow strike action until complex conciliation, mediation, and arbitration procedures were exhausted, which typically took two to three weeks. Sectors deemed essential had to provide a “minimum level” of service during a strike. Workers’ ability to conduct union activities in workplaces was strictly limited. The law provided for voluntary arbitration for “essential services” personnel monitoring the weather and fuel supply, postal service workers, export-processing-zone workers, and those loading and unloading animals and perishable foodstuffs. The law required strikes be announced at least five days in advance, and the announcement had to include the expected duration of the strike, although the government interpreted this to allow indefinite strikes. Mediation and arbitration bodies, in addition to the unions and workers themselves, could end strikes. The law prohibited antiunion discrimination; however, it did not explicitly provide for reinstatement of workers terminated for union activities. An employee fired with cause did not have a right to severance, but employees terminated without cause did.Workers in defense and security services, tax administration, and the fire brigade, along with prison workers, judges and prosecutors, and the Office of the President’s staff were prohibited from unionizing and striking. Other public-sector workers could form and join unions but were prohibited from striking.Authorities and employers generally respected freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, although workers were not able to fully exercise these rights. Collective bargaining contracts covered less than 5 percent of the workforce. The government did not effectively enforce the law. Government efforts included fining companies that violated labor laws and the expulsion of foreign supervisors who allegedly did not follow the law. Inspection and prosecution were not sufficient to enforce compliance. Penalties for conviction were not commensurate with those for similar denials of civil rights. Penalties were sometimes applied against violators.The government sometimes responded to strikes with force against or detention of union members. In December 2022 the Mozambican Network of Human Rights Defenders stated some doctors during a one-month strike for higher salaries and better working conditions experienced threats, intimidation, and initiation of disciplinary proceedings. In July the doctors resumed their strike, and the government took a harder line. In August police shut down a health fair organized by striking doctors in Maputo. The governor of Manica Province called for punitive measures against those striking. Some officials suggested striking doctors could be dismissed and replaced with contract workers, a move civil society observers stated would be illegal.The largest trade union organization, the Organization of Mozambican Workers, was perceived as biased in favor of the government and Frelimo. There were no independent unions or labor-focused NGOs.																																				b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor										See the Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment										See the Department of Labor’s Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor at  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings/ .																																				d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																														e. Acceptable Conditions of Work										Wage and Hour Laws: The government-mandated minimum wage varied by sector and was above the official poverty line. After consultations with trade unions and the private sector, in 2022 the government raised the minimum wage. The standard legal workweek was 40 hours but could be extended to 48 hours. Overtime pay was mandated for hours worked more than 48 hours at 50 percent above the base hourly salary. These legal protections also applied to foreign workers holding work permits.There were some complaints of violations of wage laws in extractive industries and private security. In January a district administrator in Inhambane Province stated he had confirmed reports of labor violations at a Chinese logging company, including the withholding of wages and contracts, lack of personal protective equipment, and unsanitary conditions. Additionally, a media outlet alleged mistreatment of workers at a Chinese heavy sands mining company in Gaza Province, including withholding of wages and time off; the outlet accused government officials of protecting companies accused of such violations.Occupational Safety and Health: The government set occupational safety and health (OSH) standards that were up to date and appropriate for the main industries. Workers had the right to clean and safe workplaces, including good physical, environmental, and moral conditions. Workers had the right to be informed of safety risks and instruction on how to follow the regulations and improve safety, including the right to protective clothing and equipment, first aid, health exams, and compensation for workplace injuries or sickness. Workers had the right to remove themselves from dangerous situations without jeopardy to their employment. OSH officers were responsible for identifying unsafe working conditions, but workers could file complaints regarding unsafe situations.Civil society NGOs reported agricultural and mining workers were among the most vulnerable to poor work conditions.Wage, Hour, and OSH Enforcement: The government did not effectively enforce minimum wage, overtime, and OSH laws. Penalties for conviction were not commensurate with those for similar offenses. Penalties were sometimes applied against violators. The General Labor Inspectorate, a Ministry of Labor office, was responsible for enforcing the minimum wage rates and OSH standards in the private sector, and the Ministry of Finance did so in the public sector. The labor inspectorate had the authority to make unannounced inspections and initiate sanctions, but the ministries usually investigated violations of minimum wage rates and OSH standards only after workers submitted a complaint. The number of labor inspectors was not sufficient to enforce compliance. Despite the relatively low number of inspectors, some businesses reported frequent visits by labor inspectors citing capricious violations and threats of substantial monetary fines to exact bribes. Labor law applied only to the formal sector, leaving workers in the informal sector unprotected; more than 80 percent of workers were employed in the informal sector.																																				    							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Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																							a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																						b. Disappearance																																																						c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																				Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																				d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																				Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																				e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																				Trial Procedures																																												Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																				f. Transnational Repression																																																						g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																						h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																						i. Conflict-related Abuses																																																			Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																							a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																				Internet Freedom																																																																																				b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																				Freedom of Peaceful Assembly																																												Freedom of Association																																																																																				c. Freedom of Religion																																																						d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																						e. Protection of Refugees																																																						f. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)																																																			Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																							Elections and Political Participation																																																			Section 4. Corruption in Government																Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																							Women																																																						Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																						Children																																																						Antisemitism																																																						Trafficking in Persons																																																						Forced Organ Harvesting																																																						Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																						Persons with Disabilities																																																						Other Societal Violence or Discrimination																																																			Section 7. Worker Rights																																							a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																						b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																						c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																						d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																						e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																									Tags																					Bureau of African Affairs																								Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																								Mozambique
- Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Kenya HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Kenya				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Assistant Secretary Witkowsky’s Travel to Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Kenya																																		Media Note																														March 15, 2024																																							Assistant Secretary of the State Department Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne A. Witkowsky will travel to Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Kenya from March 17-26.In Mozambique, Assistant Secretary Witkowsky will engage government, civil society, and international partners on ongoing efforts to promote the recovery and resilience of conflict-affected communities.&nbsp; The Assistant Secretary will review U.S. support for these efforts under the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability and foster dialogue on crucial issues such as youth engagement and inclusion, women’s initiatives in peacebuilding, and the role of the private sector in contributing to peace and stability.In Kenya and Ethiopia, the Assistant Secretary will explore opportunities to strengthen U.S. support for regional initiatives to promote peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.&nbsp; The Assistant Secretary will engage on the United States’ partnership with the Government of Kenya to strengthen its capacity to support regional peace negotiations.&nbsp; The Assistant Secretary will meet with a range of civil society, UN, and African Union partners about collaboration on early warning, conflict monitoring, and negotiations support.For more information, follow @StateCSO on X or contact CSO at CSOPublicAffairs1@state.gov.						Tags																					Bureau of African Affairs																								Ethiopia																								Kenya																								Mozambique																								Office of the Spokesperson																																Official International Travel
- Increasing Access and Coverage of HIV-1 Early Infant Diagnosis through Use of Point of Care (POC) Testing in Mozambique Mozambique has demonstrated the feasibility and impact of the use of point of care testing (POCT) for early infant diagnosis (EID), resulting in significantly reduced turnaround times and increased rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Strong partnership between the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders was key to successful implementation. The success in Mozambique has been replicated in seven additional countries with partial data analysis showing the cost-effectiveness of initiation of infected infants on ART.WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM? Access to EID by two months of age remains poor and only about 51% of infants having access to this test globally (Essajee, et al, 2017). HIV infection in infants is aggressive, with the highest morbidity and mortality occurring in the first few months of life for infants not on treatment (Bourne, et al, 2009). Conventional laboratory testing networks requiring specimen referral can limit access to treatment when not optimized. Delays in the lab-clinic interface and systems supporting EID can result in unacceptably long turnaround times (TAT) for the return of results. This in turn contributes to high attrition rates and delays initiation of infants on life-saving ART.  In Mozambique, as in other low-resource settings, errors in sample collection, transport, storage and processing, and cumbersome result return systems ensure that some families never receive the results of infant HIV diagnostic tests. Access to EID by two months of age remains poor at only about 51% of infants having access to this test globally (Essajee, et al, 2017). HIV infection in infants is aggressive, with the highest morbidity and mortality occurring in the first few months of life for infants not on treatment (Bourne, et al, 2009). Conventional laboratory testing networks requiring specimen referral can limit access to treatment when not optimized. Delays in the lab-clinic interface and systems supporting EID can result in unacceptably long turnaround times (TAT) for the return of results. This in turn contributes to high attrition rates and delays initiation of infants on life-saving ART.  In Mozambique, as in other low-resource settings, errors in sample collection, transport, storage and processing, and cumbersome result return systems ensure that some families never receive the results of infant HIV diagnostic tests.FULL SOLUTIONWHAT IS THE SOLUTION?In Mozambique, the National Health Institute (NHI) together with UNITAID, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and UNICEF implemented a project in 16 primary health facilities. This project compared standard of care (SOC) testing (conventional HIV diagnostic testing practices) to point of care (POC) EID testing. In 8 of the facilities providing SOC testing, 1876 infants were enrolled, while another 2034 received POC testing. The primary outcome monitored was the proportion of infants initiating ART within 60 days from specimen collection. POC EID sites demonstrated improved access, reduced TAT for release of results and earlier initiation on ART. This evaluation led to a decision by the Mozambican MoH to nationally scale up EID POC with the support of UNITAID and PEPFAR.WHAT WAS THE IMPACT?In the original evaluation in Mozambique, there were significant advantages associated with POC EID compared to the SOC testing (Jani, et al, 2017). There were 2.034 and 1,876 infants enrolled in the POC and SOC arms, respectively. This information is further summarized in the below Figure 1.Figure 1. Clinical cascade for POC EID vs. SOC testingAdditionally:All POC EID results were available at the PHC sites while 19% of results obtained through SOC were never returned to the sites.The median TAT from sample collection to results received (in days) was 1 (0-1) day for POC compared to 125 (84-185) days in the SOC arm.99.5% of results obtain with POC testing were given to infant parents or guardian compared to 65% with the SOC, with only 7.2% and 47.2% of SOC results returned to infant parents or guardians within 2 months and 6 months of testing, respectively.89.7% of infant who tested positive with POC EID were initiated on ART within 2 months of sample collection compared to only 12.8% on ART in the SOC arm.The median TAT from sample collection to ART initiation (in days) for identified infected infants was 1 (0-1) day for POC EID and 127 (44-154) days for SOC.The proportion of HIV-positive infants’ retention rate after 3 months of ART initiation was higher in the POC arm (61.6%) compared to 42.9% in the SOC arm.HOW DOES IT WORK?INDIVIDUAL LEVELThe target population is all infants who may have been exposed to HIV. Previously, SOC testing for EID has mostly been carried out in centralized laboratory facilities. POC EID improves access, reduces TAT and allows early initiation on ART, thus preventing infant mortality due to HIV.SYSTEMS AND SERVICES LEVEL With POC, whole blood is collected directly into cartridges for testing, bypassing the need for multiple consumables. The availability of POC EID results within an hour eliminated the need for mothers to return for results, decreasing loss to follow-up and increasing opportunities for successful enrollment into ART care.LOCAL ENVIRONMENT Provincial governments have been engaged since the start of planning, and through determination of final allocation of POC EID instruments based on site recommendations. Through the provincial government, Provincial Focal Points were identified, trained and responsible for engaging with the PHC to provide mentorship. Site leadership was also actively involved in site enrollment and training, as well as routine monitoring and evaluation.NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT The MoH has been instrumental in the introduction and implementation of POC EID. Through NHI, early evaluations (including field evaluations) were performed. These early evaluation results contributed to both the WHO considerations on POC EID and the evaluations results for WHO pre-qualification. The MoH endorsed the use of the innovative technology, and has facilitated collaboration between the Mozambican NHI, MOH PMTCT TWG and PMTCT program to provide governance for the scale up process, and to oversee procurement.SCALABILITYFollowing the successful evaluation as described above, the Mozambican MoH launched a national scale up of EID POC.  PEPFAR Mozambique has invested in the rollout of POC EID to priority sites located in Zambezia Province. Site selection and assessment have already been completed with approval of 30 POC instruments. POC EID scale up is being implemented in 7 other countries (with minor adjustment based on country context) including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.MANAGEMENT &amp; OVERSIGHTMONITORING: USAID oversees PSM in procurement. The CDC lab and PMTCT teams lead PEPFARengagement within the TWG.BUDGETCOST OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTION:  A full cost-effectiveness analysis is underway. However, preliminary analysis of the Mozambique and Malawi implementation indicated POC EID was less expensive compared to conventional laboratory testing. The cost per test results received by caregiver for conventional laboratory test for EID ranged from USD $24-$43 compared to $21-$33 for POC EID.RESOURCES  Key Considerations for Introducing New HIV Point-of-Care Diagnostic Technologies in National Health Systems      HIV Point-of-Care Diagnostics Toolkit Improving the Quality of HIV-Related Point of Care Testing: Ensuring the Reliability and Accuracy of Test Results REFERENCESEssajee S, Bhairavabhotla R, Penazzato M, Kiragu K, Jani I, Carmona S, Rewari B, Kiyaga C, Nkengasong J, Peter T. 2017. Scale-up of Early Infant HIV Diagnosis and Improving Access to Pediatric HIV Care in Global Plan Countries: Past and Future Perspectives. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 75 Suppl 1:S51-S58.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28398997.Bourne DE, Thompson M, Brody LL, Cotton M, Draper B, Laubscher R, Abdullah MF, Myers JE. 2009. Emergence of a peak in early infant mortality due to HIV/AIDS in South Africa. AIDS 23:101-106.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19065753.Jani IV, Meggi B, Mabunda N, Vubil A, Sitoe NE, Tobaiwa O, Quevedo JI, Lehe JD, Loquiha O, Vojnov L, Peter TF. 2014. Accurate Early Infant HIV Diagnosis in Primary Health Clinics Using a Point-Of-Care Nucleic Acid Test. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000000250.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24933096.Ilesh Jani BM, Osvaldo Loquiha, Ocean Tobaiwa, Chishamiso Mudenyanga, Dadirayi Mutsaka, Nedio Mabunda, Adolfo Vubil, Lara Vojnov, Trevor Peter. 2017. Point-of-care test improves infant HIV diagnosis rate, treatment starts and retention in care.https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/point-care-test-improves-infant-hiv-diagnosis-rate-treatment-starts-retention-care/. CROI 2017 abstract. Accessed 4 January 2018Mwenda R, Fong Y, Magombo T, Saka E, Midian D, Mwase C, Kandulu J, Wang M, Thomas R, Sherman J, Vojnov L. 2018. Significant Patient Impact Observed Upon Implementation of Point-Of-Care Early Infant Diagnosis Technologies in an Observational Study in Malawi. Clin Infect Dis doi:10.1093/cid/ciy169.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29490026.Ndlovu Z, Fajardo E, Mbofana E, Maparo T, Garone D, Metcalf C, Bygrave H, Kao K, Zinyowera S. 2018. Multidisease testing for HIV and TB using the GeneXpert platform: A feasibility study in rural Zimbabwe. PLoS One 13:e0193577.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29499042.&nbsp;
- Digital Press Briefing on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Commitments to Africa Listen to or download the audio here .MODERATOR:  Good morning to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub.  I would like to welcome our participants logging in from across the continent and thank all of you for joining this discussion.  Today, we are very pleased to be joined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Michael S. Regan, on the last day of his mission to Mozambique and Ghana.  Administrator Regan will close – discuss the commitments that the EPA is making to share solutions on a range of environmental priorities in Africa, including initiatives to protect clean air, encourage the responsible mining of critical minerals, improve recycling of materials from plastics and electronic waste, as well as collaboration between schools in America and Ghana to foster cultural and environmental exchanges for information.  Following brief remarks, EPA Administrator Regan will take questions from participating journalists.  Administrator Regan joins us from Accra, Ghana.We will begin today’s call with opening remarks from the administrator and then we will turn to your questions.  We will try to get to as many of them as we can during the briefing.As a reminder, today’s call is on the record.  And with that, I will turn it over to Administrator Regan.ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Good morning, everyone.  It’s an honor to join you all today.Since the very start of my time as administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, I’ve been focused on tackling the pollution challenges that transcend geographical boundaries and disproportionately impact underserved communities – from climate change, to air and water quality concerns, to the recycling of plastics, and many others.  As I close out my first mission to Africa, I couldn’t be more invigorated to keep pushing forward.As the first Black man to lead the EPA, the significance and weight of this mission is not lost on me.Not only is Africa the birthplace of mankind, but it’s a beautiful rich land with culture, diversity, and extraordinary natural wonders.It’s the land of my ancestors, the soul of humanity – the genesis of civilization. I’m honored to represent President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the Biden-Harris administration – responding directly to the President’s call to expand substantive and meaningful partnerships with African countries, institutions, and people across the continent.My time here has been enlightening, humbling, and truly remarkable.I’d like to share a few announcements from this trip that underscore EPA’s commitment to sharing our expertise with the people of Africa, as well as build greater partnerships and forge solutions together.On my first day in Mozambique, I was proud to join Ambassador Vrooman to announce a new air quality monitor at the U.S. Embassy in Maputo.  Maputo has now joined nearly 80 U.S. embassies and consulates across the world to monitor air quality and display it on EPA’s AirNow website – empowering communities to make informed decisions about their health and safety. EPA will also work with the Mozambican Government officials to provide technical assistance surrounding the use of its AERMOD air modeling software, which uses state-of-the-art technology for air quality monitoring.On this trip, I learned about how mining operations are impacting the environment and local communities.  And EPA announced that it will provide technical assistance and guidance to help the Mozambican Government and civil society more meaningfully engage in public processes around responsible mining operations. I also had the pleasure of meeting local advocates leading clean-up efforts on the Macaneta Beach in Mozambique to address coastal erosion.  EPA experts will partner with our U.S. Geological Society counterparts to host a webinar with a community in Mozambique that is struggling with the impacts of coastal erosion. After taking a tour of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Cookstove Lab, EPA announced it will support a conference for lab and field research on cookstoves, as well as provide technical assistance to the lab.EPA will help build capacity for e-waste management by featuring Ghana at an upcoming International E-Waste Management Network webinar and by providing support for an e-waste technical expert from the Government of Ghana to participate in an annual IEMN meeting.And finally, one that hits close to home for me:  EPA, in partnership with the Peace Corps, will develop a twinning program between schools in my home state of North Carolina and here in Ghana to foster cultural and environmental exchanges of information.Reflecting back, I’ve seen and experienced so much on this mission:A water tower that uses solar energy to provide clean water to 8,000 people in surrounding areas.A “Glass House” made of bottles that have been picked up from the nearby beach, helping to educate and inspire children about the impact of marine litter.A woman-owned biomedical manufacturing company called BioMec that repurposes plastic collected from Mozambique’s shores to create custom prosthetics.I went to Bazaruto Archipelago National Park and met with waste collectors who have removed over 500 tons of waste and turned it into bricks for infrastructure projects.A visit to the Parco facility in Vilankulo to learn about how innovative solutions to remove waste from the ocean can have a profound impact on improving the lives of children and all people.I visited Electro Recycling Ghana, which has developed an innovative approach to refurbish, reuse, and recycle electronic waste.A liquified petroleum gas bottling plant that is helping contribute to Ghana’s goal of bringing access to liquified petroleum gas to 50 percent of Ghanaians by 2030.I visited the community of Jamestown with Her Excellency the Second Lady of Ghana Samira Bawumia, to meet with mothers who are using cleaner, more efficient cookstoves to put food on the table and provide for their families.Later today, I will visit Environment 360, to meet with young activists and entrepreneurial women that are uplifting their communities.I will also see an energy facility turning coconut husks and shells into clean, affordable charcoal.And finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t speak personally about my experiences at the home and final resting place of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, where I had the opportunity to lay wreaths in his honor with my friend, NAACP President Derrick Johnson.  Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois was a trailblazer and an extraordinary leader, and his work has inspired me and countless others.Another impactful and deeply powerful moment was visiting Cape Coast Castle.  There, President Johnson and I laid wreaths at the site that once served as a holding facility for enslaved Africans before they were transported to the Americas.In closing, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to visit both of these remarkable countries and will forever be inspired by the incredible hospitality I experienced and the kind people I met along the way.It’s been my honor, and truly an experience that I will take with me forever.The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring all people have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and an opportunity to lead a healthy life – and we won’t let up until that statement is realized in every corner of the world.Thank you so much.MODERATOR:  Thank you, Administrator Regan.  We will now begin the question-and-answer portion of today’s briefing.  Before we get started, I did want to just ask that the EPA has recently announced a National Environmental Youth Advisory Council.  Can you say how – describe how this is organized and whether that model could work in the countries that you visited in Africa?ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Absolutely.  You know, we realize that every major social movement in the Americas and around the world are typically led by young people.  Young people have so many ideas and so much energy.  And as administrator, I wanted to harness the ideas, the energy, the intellectual capacity of young people all across the United States.  So we created a 16-member federal advisory council made up solely by young people ages 16 to 29 that are as diverse as our country is.  And they will be providing expertise and ideas to me as administrator at least three to four times per year during public meetings, and I in turn will incorporate their ideas and their thoughts into regulations, policies, and advice that I give to President Biden as it relates to climate change, recycling and reuse, air quality, water quality, and cleaning up many of our polluted lands. I’ve spoken with both the ambassador at – in Mozambique, U.S. ambassador in Mozambique, the U.S. ambassador here in Ghana, about this program.  And we believe that there are opportunities to create similar programs in both countries and have some connection amongst these councils as we continue to fight for clean air and clean water and combating the climate crisis all across the world.MODERATOR:  Super.  We have a question that has come in in advance from Mr. Lloyd Rabaya; he’s a freelance journalist in Zimbabwe.  He asks:  “What is the EPA&#8217;s stance on carbon credits in Africa?”ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  You, know we support a well-monitored, high-integrity carbon credit program that meets the strong safeguards that allows for the integrity to remain – to help developing countries speed up their transition away from fossil fuels, but also to support land sector transitions to halt and reverse emissions from deforestation.  So responsible, high-integrity carbon markets represent what we believe to be a potentially strong, promising channel to unlock significant capital to help support decarbonization, and to help limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees and leverage private sector action.I’d also like to say that we commend Ghana for having pioneered the generation of high-integrity credits, and we support Ghana’s trailblazing jurisdictional REDD+ efforts through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’s Carbon Fund, and more recently, the LEAF Coalition.  Just recently in Dubai, Ghana was one of the first two countries to sign an emissions reduction purchase agreement under the LEAF Coalition, which was launched on Earth Day in April of 2021 by the Biden administration along with other bilateral and corporate partners.So yes, we absolutely support well-monitored, high-integrity carbon credit programs. MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We have a question that has come in live from – just one moment, Ashley did not put her outlet.  I’m trying to find this.  From Ashley Okwuosa, I believe from Nigeria.  “The EPA mentioned the inclusion of an air quality monitor in the Maputo Embassy.  My understanding is that that is a monitor that also exists in the Accra Embassy and currently lists the air quality in the area as, quote, ‘very unhealthy.’  Is there anything that can be done in particular to address air quality in these regions beyond monitoring?”ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, we recognize that monitoring and the transparency of data is very critical so that each community can understand what the air quality impacts are, and that helps us to determine the source of that air quality pollution.  It is at that point that different communities, different jurisdictions may have different modes of pollution.  And we believe that our governments together can design programs to tackle those sources of emissions.  Whether those emissions are coming from – pollution are coming from vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles or vehicles in a dense urban environment, or whether some of those air emissions are coming from specific facilities that are stationary, being able to measure those air emissions is very important.  Determining where they’re coming from is very important.  And then that gives us the opportunity to work towards mitigating those emissions by tackling those unique sources with programs specifically designed for those sources. So yes, we believe that we’re making tremendous progress there, and these high-integrity monitors that are connected to an international monitoring system that is fed by EPA’s resources is really an excellent way for multiple countries to exchange their data, identify and highlight the problems that they’re facing, and then begin to share what they are doing and what we all are doing to combat air quality issues at our local levels.MODERATOR:  Thank you.  One of the questions comes in live from Maputo, Mozambique.  We are really honored to have six – sorry, eight journalists there at the embassy.  Berta Madime from Mozambique asks:  “What is the scope of the initiative to mitigate the coastal erosion in Macaneta, in Maputo?”  ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, there’s a tremendous effort being led by a number of national nonprofits that are based in Maputo.  Number one, we saw a number of organizations or individuals contributing to the repairing of the coastline using techniques such as large tires sprinkled in with the planting of native plants.  I had the chance to walk along the coastline and see that work in action to get a feel for where the coastline once was, but how it has been restored by these natural – a combination of natural and manmade barriers.  So creating these natural buffers using native plants and native trees, along with materials like tires, are going to be extremely helpful.  And as we see the different combinations of techniques that are being used, we would like to continue to provide partnership and technical assistance on how to scale up these programs, and also how to think on an international level how we give access to these local nonprofits to potential international resources where there are similar activities going on around the world.  So very inspired by the work that is mainly being done by volunteers, because the community recognizes the importance of preserving their environment, the threat that coastal erosion and sea-level rise has – not only harmful from a physical standpoint and a natural resources standpoint, but from an economic standpoint.  So I was very delighted to be hosted by the nonprofits focused on this work in particular. MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question is also out of our Maputo Embassy.  Danissa Moiane of TV Miramar:  “Is there an effort to work with schools in Mozambique similar to the initiative in Ghana?  If so, how will it be assured that women are included?”ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, we are piloting the twinning program between the schools in my home state in North Carolina and here in Ghana, and that is to foster cultural and environmental exchanges of information, and we absolutely are pursuing gender equity and empowering women.  That is a priority here in Ghana.  After we pilot it here in Ghana and work out all the kinks, then we will begin to explore other opportunities across the continent of Africa.  So we want to be sure that we establish it and set it up well and that it’s working efficiently and meeting all of our goals, and then the exploration for pushing to other countries will start. MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We have a live question from Kizito Cudjoe from Ghana.  I’m trying to see if I have her outlet.  I do not.  Sorry, she’s with Business and Financial Times, Ghana, and they ask:  “To what extent is the EPA actively engaging with global partners, particularly in regions like Ghana affected by illegal mining, to address environmental challenges and ensure sustainable water resources for present and future generations?” ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, on this trip I’ve had the opportunity to see very up close and learn how mining operations are impacting the environments in local communities.  And with the ministers and other governmental leaders, EPA has announced that we will provide technical assistance and guidance to help the Mozambican Government and the civil society more meaningfully engage the public processes and share some of our experiences around mining operations and how they are regulated in the United States.  This is an area where we recognize that many of these critical minerals will be the supply chain of the advanced technology to combat the climate crisis – many of these clean energy technologies. So we believe that the mining is necessary but not at the expense of communities and not at the expense of natural resources and the environment.  It is very important that we have strong regulatory programs designed to oversee these mining operations, but equally as important, very strong programs designed to allow for the public to be engaged in these mining projects have input and have these operations respond in kind to some of the needs of these communities.  We hope to partner here in Africa on these issues because we have some learnings and experience that we believe will be helpful. MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question in here also came in the chat – lot of interest in the chat, which is great – from Leopoldo Agapito from Radio Mozambique.  He asks:  “What is the priority of the United States and Mozambique this year in terms of environment?”  And he also questions that, “If environmental education” – he notes that behavioral change is critical.  He asks:  “Is there any possibility of training for journalists who work with environmental issues?”ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, when we spoke with the leadership of the Mozambican Government, we specifically focused on a few topics.  The first was ensuring that we do a proper exchange of intellectual capacity around mining.  We also agreed to focus on emissions reductions from methane operations.  We talked a lot about the importance of a circular economy as it relates to waste and plastics in particular.  And we also spoke about youth engagement around sustainability and the environment as it relates to those topics, but also many more.  An underpinning aspect of all of these categories is the importance of transparency for our communities, for our young people, for those who report on this – our journalists.  And so, yes, as part of the overall design, we want to do a better job collectively around the world in articulating very clearly how our governments are working together, what those priorities are, and how can we encourage the public processes that allow for as much community engagement as possible.  MODERATOR:  Thank you.  I know your time is short.  I’d like to, if possible, just ask one last question.  We have so many questions.  People are so interested in this.  We have a question still out of Mozambique asking – Dalia Langa from STV, she asks:  “What are the main initiatives in combatting climate change in Mozambique and Ghana?”  ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  Well, there are a number of ways that both countries are leading in this area.  I’d like to start with recycling.  Both countries have recognized that methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases that we are combatting.  And as these materials are landfilled, we understand that landfills are significant contributors to methane.  So the recycling of waste and the circular economy approach to plastics and other waste is extremely important as we combat the climate crisis.  We are also collectively looking at numerous ways that we can deploy technologies – such as solar energy, battery technologies – that can be used instead of traditional fossil fuels to help ensure that we get clean water delivered all across the country; that as we generate power, for instance, with the brilliant people that are looking at recycling materials for prosthetics, the power that generates that extremely well-thought-out social good can be done with clean, renewable energy.  And we want to focus on the climate crisis and clean, renewable energy and recycling, but we also want to capture the co-benefits of a healthy land by not having so much pollution in these communities and all of our communities, and also ensuring that they’re not burned and creating additional air quality impacts that are harming our children and our families.I was extremely delighted to be able to visit Jamestown with her excellency the second lady of Ghana, to see how clean cooking, clean cookstoves will transform so many communities, not just in Ghana but across the continent.  Our women and young women are cooking for hours at a time, inhaling these toxic fumes from charcoal and from wood, but the clean cooking transition is something that we know can contribute to greater air quality benefits, healthier lifestyles for many of the families here.  And so those are the types of solutions that we’re trying to couple together so that we are protecting the planet by protecting public health at the same time for everyone.  No matter where you live or how much money you have, everyone deserves clean air, clean water, and the right to live a healthy life.  MODERATOR:  Thank you very much.  I apologize to all our journalists, but that is all the time the administrator has this morning.  Administrator, again, do you have any final words for our journalists? ADMINISTRATOR REGAN:  I am just so appreciative of what I’ve learned during this mission.  President Biden held a U.S.-African Leaders Summit about two years ago, and there he pledged to strengthen the partnerships between our countries and continent to help combat the climate crisis, to help promote environmental justice across the world; to ensure that no matter where you live, no matter what community you come from, assuring our members of the community that you have a right to clean air, clean water, and a healthier lifestyle.  And I’ve seen so much entrepreneurship and so much energy in Mozambique and Ghana that gives me another level of hope that there are so many opportunities for partnership and that none of us are in this alone.  And so I am just so thankful for the welcoming environment in both countries.  I’m thankful for those who took time out of their busy schedules to talk about ideas and how we can have the best ideas win to tackle some very hard topics.  But together I’m confident that we can win the day.MODERATOR:  Thank you so much.  That concludes today’s briefing.  I want to thank EPA Administrator Michael Regan and thank all the journalists for participating.  We will post a transcript of the briefing on our website.  In the meantime, if you have any questions about today’s briefing, you may contact the Africa Regional Media Hub at AFMediaHub@state.gov.  Thank you.# # #
- Signed Memorandum of Consultations and Initialed Air Transport Agreement Between the U.S. and  the Republic of Mozambique of December 06, 2023 Delegations representing the United States of America and the Republic of Mozambique met on December 6, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at ICAN 2023 and reached agreement, ad referendum, on the text of a bilateral Air Transport Agreement (the “Agreement”).  Members of the delegations are listed in Attachment A.The delegations initialed the text of the Agreement (Attachment B).  The delegations expressed the intent to sign and bring the Agreement into force at the earliest possible date.  The delegations further expressed the intent of their respective aeronautical authorities to permit operations consistent with the terms of the Agreement on the basis of comity and reciprocity, from the date of signature of this Memorandum of Consultations, pending the Agreement’s entry into force.With respect to the route description in Annex I, the delegations noted that there is no practical distinction between “behind” points and “beyond” points since carriers are free to serve points in any order.With regards to taxation, the delegations recognized that taxation of income from the international operation of aircraft is not addressed in the Agreement. The Mozambique delegation emphasized that the Civil Aviation Authority does not have the mandate to negotiate the issue of avoidance of double taxation. The delegation of the United States noted that the U.S. Department of the Treasury is responsible for such agreements.The Mozambique delegation sought clarification with respect to the intent and scope of paragraph 2 of Section 2 of Annex II.  The United States delegation explained that the provision is intended to facilitate free and open competition between scheduled and charter international air services by allowing charter operators of either party to be subject to the least restrictive charter rules among the parties.  The U.S. delegation further noted that a liberal charter regime is a core element of U.S. international aviation policy and that the United States has liberal charter regulations that are generally nonrestrictive with respect to the type of traffic, charter eligibility, the party in which the traffic originates, and the nature of the traffic as one-way or round-trip.The Mozambique delegation noted that, with respect to Articles 3 and 4 of the Agreement, Mozambique does not require majority national ownership of its airlines and does not require foreign airlines seeking to serve Mozambique to be substantially owned by nationals of their homeland. The U.S. delegation stated that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has broad authority to waive the ownership and control standards with respect to foreign airlines.   In addition, the U.S. delegation stated that USDOT has an established practice of waiving such standards for airlines when all countries involved are applying a fully liberalized air transportation agreement.Signed at Riyadh on the 6th day of December 2023.FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:______________________________Heidi N. GómezDeputy Assistant Secretaryfor Transportation AffairsU.S. Department of StateFOR THE DELEGATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE:______________________________Captain João Martins de AbreuChairman and CEOCivil Aviation Authority ofMozambiqueAttachment ADELEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAHeidi Gomez (head of delegation)Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs,U.S. Department of StateBenjamin Taylor Director,Office of International Aviation,U.S. Department of TransportationJuha Salin Director,Office of Aviation Negotiations,U.S. Department of StateCaroline Kaufman Acting Team LeadOffice of Supply Chain ServicesU.S. Department of CommerceEugene Alford Senior Air Services Negotiator,Office of International Aviation,U.S. Department of TransportationJoseph Landart Senior Air Services Negotiator,Office of International Aviation,U.S. Department of TransportationTricia Kubrin Air Services Negotiator,Office of International Aviation,U.S. Department of TransportationFatimata Ndiaye Air Services Negotiator,Office of International Aviation,U.S. Department of TransportationBenjamin Shipe Senior Attorney,Office of the Assistant General Counsel for International LawU.S. Department of TransportationRyan Long International Aviation Officer,Office of Aviation Negotiations,U.S. Department of StateJoseph Baden International Aviation Officer,Office of Aviation Negotiations,U.S. Department of StateDavid Buchholz Attorney-Adviser,Office of the Legal Adviser,U.S. Department of StateDELEGATION OF MOZAMBIQUEHead of Delegation TitleCapt João Martins de ABREUChairman Mozambique CivilAviation AuthorityDelegatesMs. Neusia Célia Olga MACHAVADirector of Economic RegulationMr. Tibério António ELIASHead of Legal and International CooperationMrs. Laurinda Gimo MATAVELAHead of Department of LicenseMrs. Carla TAMELEInternational Cooperation OfficerMrs. Anna-Mary CHIOBVULegal AdvisorMs. Maria Mingarda MACONDZOExecutive Assistant to the Chairman of CAAAIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENTBETWEENTHE GOVERNMENT OFTHE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAANDTHE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE_____________The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique (hereinafter, &#8220;the Parties&#8221;);Desiring to promote an international aviation system based on competition among airlines in the marketplace with minimum government interference and regulation;Desiring to facilitate the expansion of international air transport opportunities;Desiring to make it possible for airlines to offer the traveling and shipping public a variety of service options at the lowest prices that are not discriminatory and do not represent abuse of a dominant position, and wishing to encourage individual airlines to develop and implement innovative and competitive prices;Desiring to ensure the highest degree of safety and security in international air transport and reaffirming their grave concern about acts or threats against the security of aircraft, which jeopardize the safety of persons or property, adversely affect the operation of air transportation, and undermine public confidence in the safety of civil aviation; andBeing Parties to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, opened for signature at Chicago on December 7, 1944;Have agreed as follows:Article 1DefinitionsFor the purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise stated, the term:&#8220;Aeronautical authorities&#8221; means, in the case of the United States of America, the Department of Transportation, or its successor, and in the case of the Republic of Mozambique, the Civil Aviation Authority of Mozambique, and any person or agency authorized to perform functions exercised by the said Civil Aviation Authority of Mozambique;&#8220;Agreement&#8221; means this Agreement, its Annexes, and any amendments thereto;&#8220;Air transportation&#8221; means the public carriage by aircraft of passengers, baggage, cargo, and mail, separately or in combination, for remuneration or hire;&#8220;Convention&#8221; means the Convention on International Civil Aviation, opened for signature at Chicago on December 7, 1944, and includes:any amendment that has entered into force under Article 94(a) of the Convention and has been ratified by both Parties, andany Annex or any amendment thereto adopted under Article 90 of the Convention, insofar as such Annex or amendment is at any given time effective for both Parties;&#8220;Designated airline&#8221; means an airline designated and authorized in accordance with Article 3 of this Agreement;&#8220;Full cost&#8221; means the cost of providing service plus a reasonable charge for administrative overhead;&#8220;International air transportation&#8221; means air transportation that passes through the airspace over the territory of more than one State;&#8220;Price&#8221; means any fare, rate or charge for the carriage of passengers (and their baggage) and/or cargo (excluding mail) in air transportation charged by airlines, including their agents, and the conditions governing the availability of such fare, rate or charge;&#8220;Stop for non-traffic purposes&#8221; means a landing for any purpose other than taking on or discharging passengers, baggage, cargo and/or mail in air transportation;&#8220;Territory&#8221; means the land areas under the sovereignty, jurisdiction, protection, or trusteeship of a Party, and the territorial waters adjacent thereto; and&#8220;User charge&#8221; means a charge imposed on airlines for the provision of airport, air navigation, or aviation security facilities or services including related services and facilities.Article 2Grant of RightsEach Party grants to the other Party the following rights for the conduct of international air transportation by the airlines of the other Party:the right to fly across its territory without landing;the right to make stops in its territory for non-traffic purposes; andthe rights otherwise specified in this Agreement.Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to confer on the airline or airlines of one Party the rights to take on board, in the territory of the other Party, passengers, their baggage, cargo, or mail carried for compensation and destined for another point in the territory of that other Party.Article 3Designation and AuthorizationEach Party shall have the right to designate as many airlines as it wishes to conduct international air transportation in accordance with this Agreement and to withdraw or alter such designations.  Such designations shall be transmitted to the other Party in writing through diplomatic channels, and shall identify whether the airline is authorized to conduct the type of air transportation specified in Annex I or in Annex II or both.On receipt of such a designation, and of applications from the designated airline, in the form and manner prescribed for operating authorizations and technical permissions, the other Party shall grant appropriate authorizations and permissions with minimum procedural delay, provided:substantial ownership and effective control of that airline are vested in the Party designating the airline, nationals of that Party, or both;the designated airline is qualified to meet the conditions prescribed under the laws and regulations normally applied to the operation of international air transportation by the Party considering the application or applications; andthe Party designating the airline is maintaining and administering the standards set forth in Article 6 (Safety) and Article 7 (Aviation Security).Article 4Revocation of AuthorizationEither Party may revoke, suspend or limit the operating authorizations or technical permissions of an airline designated by the other Party where:substantial ownership and effective control of that airline are not vested in the other Party, the Party&#8217;s nationals, or both;that airline has failed to comply with the laws and regulations referred to in Article 5 (Application of Laws) of this Agreement; orthe other Party is not maintaining and administering the standards as set forth in Article 6 (Safety).Unless immediate action is essential to prevent further noncompliance with subparagraphs 1b or 1c of this Article, the rights established by this Article shall be exercised only after consultation with the other Party.This Article does not limit the rights of either Party to withhold, revoke, limit or impose conditions on the operating authorization or technical permission of an airline or airlines of the other Party in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 (Aviation Security).Article 5Application of LawsWhile entering, within, or leaving the territory of one Party, its laws and regulations relating to the operation and navigation of aircraft shall be complied with by the other Party&#8217;s airlines.While entering, within, or leaving the territory of one Party, its laws and regulations relating to the admission to or departure from its territory of passengers, crew or cargo on aircraft (including regulations relating to entry, clearance, aviation security, immigration, passports, customs and quarantine or, in the case of mail, postal regulations) shall be complied with by, or on behalf of, such passengers, crew or cargo of the other Party&#8217;s airlines.Article 6SafetyEach Party shall recognize as valid, for the purpose of operating the air transportation provided for in this Agreement, certificates of airworthiness, certificates of competency, and licenses issued or validated by the other Party and still in force, provided that the requirements for such certificates or licenses at least equal the minimum standards that may be established pursuant to the Convention.  Each Party may, however, refuse to recognize as valid for the purpose of flight above its own territory, certificates of competency and licenses granted to or validated for its own nationals by the other Party.Either Party may request consultations concerning the safety standards maintained by the other Party relating to aeronautical facilities, aircrews, aircraft, and operation of the designated airlines.  If, following such consultations, one Party finds that the other Party does not effectively maintain and administer safety standards and requirements in these areas that at least equal the minimum standards that may be established pursuant to the Convention, the other Party shall be notified of such findings and the steps considered necessary to conform with these minimum standards, and the other Party shall take appropriate corrective action.  Each Party reserves the right to withhold, revoke, or limit the operating authorization or technical permission of an airline or airlines designated by the other Party in the event the other Party does not take such appropriate corrective action within a reasonable time, and to take immediate action, prior to consultations, as to such airline or airlines if the other Party is not maintaining and administering the aforementioned standards and immediate action is essential to prevent further noncompliance.Article 7Aviation SecurityIn accordance with their rights and obligations under international law, the Parties reaffirm that their obligation to each other to protect the security of civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference forms an integral part of this Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of their rights and obligations under international law, the Parties shall in particular act in conformity with the provisions of the Convention on Offenses and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, done at Tokyo September 14, 1963, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, done at The Hague December 16, 1970, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, done at Montreal September 23, 1971, and the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports Serving International Civil Aviation, done at Montreal February 24, 1988.The Parties shall provide upon request all necessary assistance to each other to prevent acts of unlawful seizure of civil aircraft and other unlawful acts against the safety of such aircraft, of their passengers and crew, and of airports and air navigation facilities, and to address any other threat to the security of civil air navigation.The Parties shall, in their mutual relations, act in conformity with the aviation security standards and appropriate recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization and designated as Annexes to the Convention; they shall require that operators of aircraft of their registry, operators of aircraft who have their principal place of business or permanent residence in their territory, and the operators of airports in their territory act in conformity with such aviation security provisions.Each Party agrees to observe the security provisions required by the other Party for entry into, for departure from, and while within the territory of that other Party and to take adequate measures to protect aircraft and to inspect passengers, crew, and their baggage and carry-on items, as well as cargo and aircraft stores, prior to and during boarding or loading.  Each Party shall also give positive consideration to any request from the other Party for special security measures to meet a particular threat.When an incident or threat of an incident of unlawful seizure of aircraft or other unlawful acts against the safety of passengers, crew, aircraft, airports or air navigation facilities occurs, the Parties shall assist each other by facilitating communications and other appropriate measures intended to terminate rapidly and safely such incident or threat.When a Party has reasonable grounds to believe that the other Party has departed from the aviation security provisions of this Article, the aeronautical authorities of that Party may request immediate consultations with the aeronautical authorities of the other Party.  Failure to reach a satisfactory agreement within 15 days from the date of such request shall constitute grounds to withhold, revoke, limit, or impose conditions on the operating authorization and technical permissions of an airline or airlines of that Party.  When required by an emergency, a Party may take interim action prior to the expiry of 15 days.Article 8Commercial OpportunitiesThe airlines of each Party shall have the right to establish offices in the territory of the other Party for the promotion and sale of air transportation.The designated airlines of each Party shall be entitled, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the other Party relating to entry, residence, and employment, to bring in and maintain in the territory of the other Party managerial, sales, technical, operational, and other specialist staff required for the provision of air transportation.Each designated airline shall have the right to perform its own ground-handling in the territory of the other Party (&#8220;self-handling&#8221;) or, at its option, select among competing agents for such services in whole or in part.  The rights shall be subject only to physical constraints resulting from considerations of airport safety.  Where such considerations preclude self-handling, ground services shall be available on an equal basis to all airlines; charges shall be based on the costs of services provided; and such services shall be comparable to the kind and quality of services as if self-handling were possible.Any airline of each Party may engage in the sale of air transportation in the territory of the other Party directly and, at the airline&#8217;s discretion, through its agents, except as may be specifically provided by the charter regulations of the country in which the charter originates that relate to the protection of passenger funds, and passenger cancellation and refund rights.  Each airline shall have the right to sell such transportation, and any person shall be free to purchase such transportation, in the currency of that territory or in freely convertible currencies.Each airline shall have the right to convert and remit to its country, on demand, local revenues in excess of sums locally disbursed.  Conversion and remittance shall be permitted promptly without restrictions or taxation in respect thereof at the rate of exchange applicable to current transactions and remittance on the date the carrier makes the initial application for remittance.The airlines of each Party shall be permitted to pay for local expenses, including purchases of fuel, in the territory of the other Party in local currency.  At their discretion, the airlines of each Party may pay for such expenses in the territory of the other Party in freely convertible currencies according to local currency regulation.In operating or holding out the authorized services on the agreed routes, any designated airline of one Party may enter into cooperative marketing arrangements such as blocked-space, code-sharing or leasing arrangements, withan airline or airlines of either Party;an airline or airlines of a third country; anda surface transportation provider of any country;provided that all participants in such arrangements (i) hold the appropriate authority and (ii) meet the requirements normally applied to such arrangements.Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, airlines and indirect providers of cargo transportation of both Parties shall be permitted, without restriction, to employ in connection with international air transportation any surface transportation for cargo to or from any points in the territories of the Parties or in third countries, including transport to and from all airports with customs facilities, and including, where applicable, the right to transport cargo in bond under applicable laws and regulations.  Such cargo, whether moving by surface or by air, shall have access to airport customs processing and facilities.  Airlines may elect to perform their own surface transportation or to provide it through arrangements with other surface carriers, including surface transportation operated by other airlines and indirect providers of cargo air transportation.  Such intermodal cargo services may be offered at a single, through price for the air and surface transportation combined, provided that shippers are not misled as to the facts concerning such transportation.Article 9Customs Duties and ChargesOn arriving in the territory of one Party, aircraft operated in international air transportation by the designated airlines of the other Party, their regular equipment, ground equipment, fuel, lubricants, consumable technical supplies, spare parts (including engines), aircraft stores (including but not limited to such items of food, beverages and liquor, tobacco and other products destined for sale to or use by passengers in limited quantities during flight), and other items intended for or used solely in connection with the operation or servicing of aircraft engaged in international air transportation shall be exempt, on the basis of reciprocity, from all import restrictions, property taxes and capital levies, customs duties, excise taxes, and similar fees and charges that are (a) imposed by the national authorities, and (b) not based on the cost of services provided, provided that such equipment and supplies remain on board the aircraft.There shall also be exempt, on the basis of reciprocity, from the taxes, levies, duties, fees and charges referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, with the exception of charges based on the cost of the service provided:aircraft stores introduced into or supplied in the territory of a Party and taken on board, within reasonable limits, for use on outbound aircraft of an airline of the other Party engaged in international air transportation, even when these stores are to be used on a part of the journey performed over the territory of the Party in which they are taken on boardground equipment and spare parts (including engines) introduced into the territory of a Party for the servicing, maintenance, or repair of aircraft of an airline of the other Party used in international air transportation;fuel, lubricants, and consumable technical supplies introduced into or supplied in the territory of a Party for use in an aircraft of an airline of the other Party engaged in international air transportation, even when these supplies are to be used on a part of the journey performed over the territory of the Party in which they are taken on board; andpromotional and advertising materials introduced into or supplied in the territory of one Party and taken on board, within reasonable limits, for use on outbound aircraft of an airline of the other Party engaged in international air transportation, even when these stores are to be used on a part of the journey performed over the territory of the Party in which they are taken on board.Equipment and supplies referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may be required to be kept under the supervision or control of the appropriate authorities.The exemptions provided by this Article shall also be available where the designated airlines of one Party have contracted with another airline, which similarly enjoys such exemptions from the other Party, for the loan or transfer in the territory of the other Party of the items specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article.Article 10User ChargesUser charges that may be imposed by the competent charging authorities or bodies of each Party on the airlines of the other Party shall be just, reasonable, not unjustly discriminatory, and equitably apportioned among categories of users.  In any event, any such user charges shall be assessed on the airlines of the other Party on terms not less favorable than the most favorable terms available to any other airline at the time the charges are assessed.User charges imposed on the airlines of the other Party may reflect, but shall not exceed, the full cost to the competent charging authorities or bodies of providing the appropriate airport, airport environmental, air navigation, and aviation security facilities and services at the airport or within the airport system.  Such charges may include a reasonable return on assets, after depreciation.  Facilities and services for which charges are made shall be provided on an efficient and economic basis.Each Party shall encourage consultations between the competent charging authorities or bodies in its territory and the airlines using the services and facilities, and shall encourage the competent charging authorities or bodies and the airlines to exchange such information as may be necessary to permit an accurate review of the reasonableness of the charges in accordance with the principles of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article.  Each Party shall encourage the competent charging authorities to provide users with reasonable notice of any proposal for changes in user charges to enable users to express their views before changes are made.Neither Party shall be held, in dispute resolution procedures pursuant to Article 14, to be in breach of a provision of this Article, unless (a) it fails to undertake a review of the charge or practice that is the subject of complaint by the other Party within a reasonable amount of time; or (b) following such a review it fails to take all steps within its power to remedy any charge or practice that is inconsistent with this Article.Article 11Fair CompetitionEach Party shall allow a fair and equal opportunity for the designated airlines of both Parties to compete in providing the international air transportation governed by this Agreement.Each Party shall allow each designated airline to determine the frequency and capacity of the international air transportation it offers based upon commercial considerations in the marketplace.  Consistent with this right, neither Party shall unilaterally limit the volume of traffic, frequency or regularity of service, or the aircraft type or types operated by the designated airlines of the other Party, except as may be required for customs, technical, operational, or environmental reasons under uniform conditions consistent with Article 15 of the Convention.Neither Party shall impose on the other Party&#8217;s designated airlines a first-refusal requirement, uplift ratio, no-objection fee, or any other requirement with respect to capacity, frequency, or traffic that would be inconsistent with the purposes of this Agreement.Neither Party shall require the filing of schedules, programs for charter flights, or operational plans by airlines of the other Party for approval, except as may be required on a non-discriminatory basis to enforce the uniform conditions foreseen by paragraph 2 of this Article or as may be specifically authorized in an Annex to this Agreement.  If a Party requires filings for information purposes, it shall minimize the administrative burdens of filing requirements and procedures on air transportation intermediaries and on designated airlines of the other Party.Article 12PricingEach Party shall allow prices for air transportation to be established by airlines of both Parties based upon commercial considerations in the marketplace.Prices for international air transportation between the territories of the Parties shall not be required to be filed.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the airlines of the Parties shall provide immediate access, on request, to information on historical, existing, and proposed prices to the aeronautical authorities of the Parties in a manner and format acceptable to those aeronautical authorities.Article 13ConsultationsEither Party may, at any time, request consultations relating to this Agreement.  Such consultations shall begin at the earliest possible date, but not later than 60 days from the date the other Party receives the request unless otherwise agreed.Article l4Settlement of DisputesAny dispute arising under this Agreement, except those that may arise under Article 12 (Pricing), that is not resolved by a first round of formal consultations may be referred by agreement of the Parties for decision to some person or body.  If the Parties do not so agree, the dispute shall, at the request of either Party, be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the procedures set forth below.Arbitration shall be by a tribunal of three arbitrators to be constituted as follows:Within 30 days after the receipt of a request for arbitration, each Party shall name one arbitrator.  Within 60 days after these two arbitrators have been named, they shall by agreement appoint a third arbitrator, who shall act as President of the arbitral tribunal;If either Party fails to name an arbitrator, or if the third arbitrator is not appointed in accordance with subparagraph a of this paragraph, either Party may request the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization to appoint the necessary arbitrator or arbitrators within 30 days.  If the President of the Council is of the same nationality as one of the Parties, the most senior Vice President who is not disqualified on that ground shall make the appointment.Except as otherwise agreed, the arbitral tribunal shall determine the limits of its jurisdiction in accordance with this Agreement and shall establish its own procedural rules.  The tribunal, once formed, may recommend interim relief measures pending its final determination.  At the direction of the tribunal or at the request of either of the Parties, a conference to determine the precise issues to be arbitrated and the specific procedures to be followed shall be held not later than 15 days after the tribunal is fully constituted.Except as otherwise agreed or as directed by the tribunal, each Party shall submit a memorandum within 45 days of the time the tribunal is fully constituted.  Replies shall be due 60 days later.  The tribunal shall hold a hearing at the request of either Party or on its own initiative within 15 days after replies are due.The tribunal shall attempt to render a written decision within 30 days after completion of the hearing or, if no hearing is held, after the date both replies are submitted.  The decision of the majority of the tribunal shall prevail.The Parties may submit requests for clarification of the decision within 15 days after it is rendered and any clarification given shall be issued within 15 days of such request.Each Party shall, to the degree consistent with its national law, give full effect to any decision or award of the arbitral tribunal.The expenses of the arbitral tribunal, including the fees and expenses of the arbitrators, shall be shared equally by the Parties.  Any expenses incurred by the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization in connection with the procedures of paragraph 2b of this Article shall be considered to be part of the expenses of the arbitral tribunal.Article l5TerminationEither Party may, at any time, give notice in writing to the other Party of its decision to terminate this Agreement.  Such notice shall be sent simultaneously to the International Civil Aviation Organization.  This Agreement shall terminate at midnight (at the place of receipt of the notice to the other Party) immediately before the first anniversary of the date of receipt of the notice by the other Party, unless the notice is withdrawn by agreement of the Parties before the end of this period.Article 16Registration with ICAOThis Agreement and all amendments thereto shall be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization.Article 17Entry into ForceThis Agreement and its Annexes shall enter into force on the date of signature.IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.DONE at _____________, this _______day of ________, 20__, in duplicate, in the English and Portuguese languages, each text being equally authentic.FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF FOR THE GOVERNMENT OFTHE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE :ANNEX IScheduled Air TransportationSection 1RoutesAirlines of each Party designated under this Annex shall, in accordance with the terms of their designation, be entitled to perform scheduled international air transportation between points on the following routes:Routes for the airline or airlines designated by the Government of the United States of America:1. From points behind the United States via the United States and intermediate points to a point or points in Mozambique and beyond.2. For all-cargo service or services, between Mozambique and any point or points.Routes for the airline or airlines designated by the Government of the Republic of Mozambique:1. From points behind Mozambique via Mozambique and intermediate points to a point or points in the United States and beyond.2. For all-cargo service or services, between the United States and any point or points.Section 2Operational FlexibilityEach designated airline may, on any or all flights and at its option:operate flights in either or both directions;combine different flight numbers within one aircraft operation;serve behind, intermediate, and beyond points and points in the territories of the Parties on the routes in any combination and in any order;omit stops at any point or points;transfer traffic from any of its aircraft to any of its other aircraft at any point on the routes; andserve points behind any point in its territory with or without change of aircraft or flight number and may hold out and advertise such services to the public as through services;without directional or geographic limitation and without loss of any right to carry traffic otherwise permissible under this Agreement; provided that, with the exception of all-cargo services, the service serves a point in the territory of the Party designating the airline.Section 3Change of GaugeOn any segment or segments of the routes above, any designated airline may perform international air transportation without any limitation as to change, at any point on the route, in type or number of aircraft operated; provided that, with the exception of all-cargo services, in the outbound direction, the transportation beyond such point is a continuation of the transportation from the territory of the Party that has designated the airline and, in the inbound direction, the transportation to the territory of the Party that has designated the airline is a continuation of the transportation from beyond such point.ANNEX IICharter Air TransportationSection 1Airlines of each Party designated under this Annex shall, in accordance with the terms of their designation, have the right to carry international charter traffic of passengers (and their accompanying baggage) and/or cargo (including, but not limited to, freight forwarder, split, and combination (passenger/cargo) charters):1. Between any point or points in the territory of the Party that has designated the airline and any point or points in the territory of the other Party; and2. Between any point or points in the territory of the other Party and any point or points in a third country or countries, provided that, except with respect to cargo charters, such service constitutes part of a continuous operation, with or without a change of aircraft, that includes service to the homeland for the purpose of carrying local traffic between the homeland and the territory of the other Party.In the performance of services covered by this Annex, airlines of each Party designated under this Annex shall also have the right:  (1) to make stopovers at any points whether within or outside of the territory of either Party; (2) to carry transit traffic through the other Party&#8217;s territory; (3) to combine on the same aircraft traffic originating in one Party&#8217;s territory, traffic originating in the other Party&#8217;s territory, and traffic originating in third countries; and (4) to perform international air transportation without any limitation as to change, at any point on the route, in type or number of aircraft operated; provided that, except with respect to cargo charters, in the outbound direction, the transportation beyond such point is a continuation of the transportation from the territory of the Party that has designated the airline and in the inbound direction, the transportation to the territory of the Party that has designated the airline is a continuation of the transportation from beyond such point.Each Party shall extend favorable consideration to applications by airlines of the other Party to carry traffic not covered by this Annex on the basis of comity and reciprocity.Section 2Any airline designated by either Party performing international charter air transportation originating in the territory of either Party, whether on a one-way or round-trip basis, shall comply with the charter laws, regulations, and rules either of its homeland or of the other Party.  If a Party applies different rules, regulations, terms, conditions, or limitations to one or more of its airlines, or to airlines of different countries, each designated airline shall be subject to the least restrictive of such criteria.However, nothing contained in the above paragraph shall limit the rights of either Party to require airlines designated under this Annex by either Party to adhere to requirements relating to the protection of passenger funds and passenger cancellation and refund rights.Section 3Except with respect to the consumer protection rules referred to in paragraph 2B of this Annex, neither Party shall require an airline designated under this Annex by the other Party, in respect of the carriage of traffic from the territory of that other Party or of a third country on a one-way or round-trip basis, to submit more than a declaration of conformity with the applicable laws, regulations and rules referred to under section 2 of this Annex or of a waiver of these laws, regulations, or rules granted by the applicable aeronautical authorities.
- Strengthening U.S. Open Skies Civil Aviation Partnerships Office of the SpokespersonU.S. delegates to the fifteenth International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2023) expanded the network of U.S. Open Skies partners by finalizing the text of a new agreement with the Republic of Mozambique.ICAN 2023, which took place December 3-7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was the year’s largest gathering of civil aviation negotiators.  The event, organized by ICAO, gathered attendees from more than 100 nations.  Open Skies agreements establish legal frameworks for international air transport to facilitate growth of an efficient, market-based international civil aviation system.The agreement with the Republic of Mozambique is the first Air Transport Agreement negotiated with this country.  Pending signature and entry into force, the agreement is now being applied on the basis of comity and reciprocity, immediately creating new opportunities for U.S. and Mozambican air carriers and more choice for travelers.  The bilateral Open Skies agreement will enable the expansion of passenger and cargo flights between Mozambique and the United States, thereby promoting increased travel and trade, and ultimately spurring high quality job opportunities and economic growth.The U.S. delegation also met with a number of international counterparts to ensure fair competition for U.S. carriers, explore possibilities for new Open Skies agreements, and further modernize existing agreements with civil aviation partners.  U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs Heidi Gómez led the U.S. delegation, which included representatives from the Departments of State, Transportation, and Commerce.For further information, please contact the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Press Office at EB-Press-Inquiry@state.gov.  Information on U.S. aviation policy and Open Skies agreements is available on the Department of State’s website here: https://www.state.gov/air-transport-ahttps://www.state.gov/air-transport-agreements/greements/
- Increasing Access and Coverage of HIV-1 Early Infant Diagnosis through Use of Point of Care Testing in Mozambique Mozambique has demonstrated the feasibility and impact of the use of point of care testing (POCT) for early infant diagnosis (EID), resulting in significantly reduced turnaround times and increased rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Strong partnership between the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders was key to successful implementation. The success in Mozambique has been replicated in seven additional countries with partial data analysis showing the cost-effectiveness of initiation of infected infants on ART.WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?Access to EID by two months of age remains poor and only about 51% of infants having access to this test globally (Essajee, et al, 2017). HIV infection in infants is aggressive, with the highest morbidity and mortality occurring in the first few months of life for infants not on treatment (Bourne, et al, 2009). Conventional laboratory testing networks requiring specimen referral can limit access to treatment when not optimized. Delays in the lab-clinic interface and systems supporting EID can result in unacceptably long turnaround times (TAT) for the return of results. This in turn contributes to high attrition rates and delays initiation of infants on life-saving ART.  In Mozambique, as in other low-resource settings, errors in sample collection, transport, storage and processing, and cumbersome result return systems ensure that some families never receive the results of infant HIV diagnostic tests. Access to EID by two months of age remains poor at only about 51% of infants having access to this test globally (Essajee, et al, 2017). HIV infection in infants is aggressive, with the highest morbidity and mortality occurring in the first few months of life for infants not on treatment (Bourne, et al, 2009). Conventional laboratory testing networks requiring specimen referral can limit access to treatment when not optimized. Delays in the lab-clinic interface and systems supporting EID can result in unacceptably long turnaround times (TAT) for the return of results. This in turn contributes to high attrition rates and delays initiation of infants on life-saving ART.  In Mozambique, as in other low-resource settings, errors in sample collection, transport, storage and processing, and cumbersome result return systems ensure that some families never receive the results of infant HIV diagnostic tests.WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?In Mozambique, the National Health Institute (NHI) together with UNITAID, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and UNICEF implemented a project in 16 primary health facilities. This project compared standard of care (SOC) testing (conventional HIV diagnostic testing practices) to point of care (POC) EID testing. In 8 of the facilities providing SOC testing, 1876 infants were enrolled, while another 2034 received POC testing. The primary outcome monitored was the proportion of infants initiating ART within 60 days from specimen collection. POC EID sites demonstrated improved access, reduced TAT for release of results and earlier initiation on ART. This evaluation led to a decision by the Mozambican MoH to nationally scale up EID POC with the support of UNITAID and PEPFAR.WHAT WAS THE IMPACT?In the original evaluation in Mozambique, there were significant advantages associated with POC EID compared to the SOC testing (Jani, et al, 2017). There were 2,034 and 1,876 infants enrolled in the POC and SOC arms, respectively. This information is further summarized in the below Table 1. Table 1. Clinical cascade for POC EID vs. SOC testing.Intervention StagePoint of Care (POC) for Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) TestingStandard of Care (SOC) for Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) TestingInfants enrolled2,0341,876Parent/guardian received results2,0241,219Results never returned0356Infants initiated on ART1,824240Infant ART retention after 3 months1,253805Additionally:All POC EID results were available at the PHC sites while 19% of results obtained through SOC were never returned to the sites.The median TAT from sample collection to results received (in days) was 1 (0-1) day for POC compared to 125 (84-185) days in the SOC arm.99.5% of results obtain with POC testing were given to infant parents or guardian compared to 65% with the SOC, with only 7.2% and 47.2% of SOC results returned to infant parents or guardians within 2 months and 6 months of testing, respectively.89.7% of infant who tested positive with POC EID were initiated on ART within 2 months of sample collection compared to only 12.8% on ART in the SOC arm.The median TAT from sample collection to ART initiation (in days) for identified infected infants was 1 (0-1) day for POC EID and 127 (44-154) days for SOC.The proportion of HIV-positive infants’ retention rate after 3 months of ART initiation was higher in the POC arm (61.6%) compared to 42.9% in the SOC arm.HOW DOES IT WORK?INDIVIDUAL LEVELThe target population is all infants who may have been exposed to HIV. Previously, SOC testing for EID has mostly been carried out in centralized laboratory facilities. POC EID improves access, reduces TAT and allows early initiation on ART, thus preventing infant mortality due to HIV.SYSTEMS AND SERVICES LEVELWith POC, whole blood is collected directly into cartridges for testing, bypassing the need for multiple consumables. The availability of POC EID results within an hour eliminated the need for mothers to return for results, decreasing loss to follow-up and increasing opportunities for successful enrollment into ART care.LOCAL ENVIRONMENTProvincial governments have been engaged since the start of planning, and through determination of final allocation of POC EID instruments based on site recommendations. Through the provincial government, Provincial Focal Points were identified, trained and responsible for engaging with the PHC to provide mentorship. Site leadership was also actively involved in site enrollment and training, as well as routine monitoring and evaluation.NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTThe MoH has been instrumental in the introduction and implementation of POC EID. Through NHI, early evaluations (including field evaluations) were performed. These early evaluation results contributed to both the WHO considerations on POC EID and the evaluations results for WHO pre-qualification. The MoH endorsed the use of the innovative technology, and has facilitated collaboration between the Mozambican NHI, MOH PMTCT TWG and PMTCT program to provide governance for the scale up process, and to oversee procurement.SCALABILITYFollowing the successful evaluation as described above, the Mozambican MoH launched a national scale up of EID POC.  PEPFAR Mozambique has invested in the rollout of POC EID to priority sites located in Zambezia Province. Site selection and assessment have already been completed with approval of 30 POC instruments. POC EID scale up is being implemented in 7 other countries (with minor adjustment based on country context) including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.MANAGEMENT &amp; OVERSIGHTMONITORING:With the different parties (manufacturers and stakeholders) involved in setting up POC EID sites, proposed indicators to monitor the various phases of implementation are summarized in Table 1.BUDGETCOST OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTION:A full cost-effectiveness analysis is underway. However, preliminary analysis of the Mozambique and Malawi implementation indicated POC EID was less expensive compared to conventional laboratory testing. The cost per test results received by caregiver for conventional laboratory test for EID ranged from USD $24-$43 compared to $21-$33 for POC EID.REFERENCESEssajee S, Bhairavabhotla R, Penazzato M, Kiragu K, Jani I, Carmona S, Rewari B, Kiyaga C, Nkengasong J, Peter T. 2017. Scale-up of Early Infant HIV Diagnosis and Improving Access to Pediatric HIV Care in Global Plan Countries: Past and Future Perspectives. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 75 Suppl 1:S51-S58.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28398997.Bourne DE, Thompson M, Brody LL, Cotton M, Draper B, Laubscher R, Abdullah MF, Myers JE. 2009. Emergence of a peak in early infant mortality due to HIV/AIDS in South Africa. AIDS 23:101-106.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19065753.Jani IV, Meggi B, Mabunda N, Vubil A, Sitoe NE, Tobaiwa O, Quevedo JI, Lehe JD, Loquiha O, Vojnov L, Peter TF. 2014. Accurate Early Infant HIV Diagnosis in Primary Health Clinics Using a Point-Of-Care Nucleic Acid Test. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000000250.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24933096.Ilesh Jani BM, Osvaldo Loquiha, Ocean Tobaiwa, Chishamiso Mudenyanga, Dadirayi Mutsaka, Nedio Mabunda, Adolfo Vubil, Lara Vojnov, Trevor Peter. 2017. Point-of-care test improves infant HIV diagnosis rate, treatment starts and retention in care.https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/point-care-test-improves-infant-hiv-diagnosis-rate-treatment-starts-retention-care/. CROI 2017 abstract. Accessed 4 January 2018Mwenda R, Fong Y, Magombo T, Saka E, Midian D, Mwase C, Kandulu J, Wang M, Thomas R, Sherman J, Vojnov L. 2018. Significant Patient Impact Observed Upon Implementation of Point-Of-Care Early Infant Diagnosis Technologies in an Observational Study in Malawi. Clin Infect Dis doi:10.1093/cid/ciy169.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29490026.Ndlovu Z, Fajardo E, Mbofana E, Maparo T, Garone D, Metcalf C, Bygrave H, Kao K, Zinyowera S. 2018. Multidisease testing for HIV and TB using the GeneXpert platform: A feasibility study in rural Zimbabwe. PLoS One 13:e0193577.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29499042.