POLICE–COMMUNITY COOPERATION AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN BORDER MANAGEMENT IN TETE (2018–2023)

Abstract

This article analyses cooperation between the Border Police and local communities in Tete Province from 2018 to 2023, emphasizing its contribution to the consolidation of national security in Mozambique. The research, adopting a mixed-methods approach, is based on community surveys, police interviews, and official document analysis. Findings reveal that although the visibility of the Border Police is widely acknowledged, perceptions of its effectiveness depend largely on community collaboration. More than half of respondents reported participating in joint actions, while 43% indicated no direct involvement, showing under-utilized potential for co-management of security. Police–community cooperation contributes to reducing illicit activities and strengthening social trust but remains limited by logistical constraints and the absence of institutional mechanisms for sustained participation. It concludes that effective border security requires an integrated approach combining state control, local development, and continuous community involvement as essential pillars of national security.