This Wednesday, MISA Mozambique asked the Ministries of Defense and the Interior to clarify to society, as a matter of the utmost urgency, the alleged involvement of agents of the Defense and Security Forces in the forced disappearance of journalist Arlindo Chissale, which took place on the night of January 7, 2024, in the Silva Macua area of Cabo Delgado province.

According to press reports and testimonies collected by MISA, Chissale was questioned, violently assaulted and forcibly taken away by FDS agents and, since then, the journalist has remained missing without any official communication about his whereabouts.

In the document submitted, MISA Mozambique asks the Ministries of Defense and Interior to commit themselves to clarifying the case through an independent investigation and to holding the agents involved accountable.

MISA also calls on the Ministries of the Interior and National Defense to ensure that the officers involved in the acts against Chissale cease, and that corporate officers in general immediately refrain from, any form of violence and police brutality against journalists in order to ensure that press freedom is not restricted.

MISA Mozambique reiterates its concern at the growing hostile environment against media professionals in the country and urges the state to strengthen its commitment to democratic principles, ensuring the protection of those who exercise their duty to inform. (News release)