By Suleman Chitera

CHIRADZULU — The Mozambican government has engaged Chiradzulu District Council on plans to identify Mozambican nationals living in the district as part of efforts to strengthen cross-border cooperation and ensure its citizens can access essential national services.

A four-member Mozambican delegation, led by Consul General Istanbul Marcelino Dos Santos Anica, visited Chiradzulu District Council on Thursday to discuss collaboration with local authorities and traditional leaders in identifying Mozambican nationals residing in the district.

The engagement is also aimed at ensuring that Mozambican citizens living in Malawi have valid identification documents that enable them to exercise their rights and access services from their home country.Mwanamvekha league finals ignite Chiradzulu

Anica said maintaining close cooperation with Chiradzulu District Council and traditional leaders would help Mozambique establish the number of its nationals living in the district.

He said the identification exercise was particularly important ahead of the 2029 Mozambican elections, as citizens living outside Mozambique need valid documentation to participate in national activities.

“Mozambicans living in Malawi remain citizens of Mozambique and should be able to exercise their rights by possessing valid identification documents,” Anica said.

He therefore appealed to Chiradzulu District Council and traditional leaders to support the identification process by helping authorities locate and identify Mozambican nationals living in different communities across the district.Sabotage allegations rock Chiradzulu district council

The Consul General said stronger cooperation with local authorities would make it easier for Mozambique to reach its citizens and address documentation and other issues affecting them while living in Malawi.

Chiradzulu Council welcomes engagement

Chiradzulu District Commissioner Elestina M’mame welcomed the engagement and said the council was ready to consult further on how it could support the identification exercise.

M’mame said the council would consider ways of working with traditional leaders and other relevant local structures to facilitate the identification of Mozambican nationals residing in the district.Chiradzulu Activist Urges Government to Immortalize John Chilembwe Through Major National Projects

The engagement highlights the role of local authorities and traditional leaders in supporting cross-border cooperation between Malawi and Mozambique, particularly in communities where people have longstanding family, social and economic ties across the two countries.

Mozambique expands engagement with Malawi districts

The Chiradzulu visit is part of a wider initiative by Mozambican authorities to engage district councils in Malawi on issues affecting Mozambican nationals living in the country.

Earlier this month, Anica held discussions with Thyolo District Commissioner Noel Dakamau on ways of identifying Mozambican nationals residing in Thyolo District.

In a related development, Zambezia Provincial Secretary Avelino Pinto Machini recently met Mulanje District Commissioner Chris Nawata to discuss cross-border issues between Malawi and Mozambique.Chiradzulu District Faces Funding Denial: A Historic Political Shift in Malawi

The engagements come as the two neighbouring countries continue to strengthen cooperation on matters affecting communities along their shared border.

For Mozambique, identifying its nationals living in Malawi is expected to provide authorities with better information on the size and location of its diaspora communities while helping citizens obtain the documentation required to access national services and participate in civic activities.

The initiative also underscores the importance of cooperation between national governments, district councils and traditional leaders in addressing issues affecting people living across borders.Chiradzulu-Based Activist Suleman Chitera Calls on Mutharika to Recognise Loyal Activists and Journalists Ahead of Elections