Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has warned that authorities will forcibly collect illegally held firearms after December, when the current voluntary surrender amnesty expires.
Speaking on Sunday at a ceremony in Manhiça district, Maputo province, Chapo urged people holding unlicensed or irregular firearms to hand them in before the deadline. He said surrendering weapons during the amnesty period would not lead to questioning, punishment or detention, but warned that the state would take a tougher approach once the offer ended.
The programme, known as Operation Amnesty II, is intended to collect and inspect firearms held illegally by individuals and private entities. It also covers weapons whose permits have expired or are no longer valid, while supporting an update of the national register of firearm holders and security companies.
The amnesty does not apply to weapons used by Mozambique’s defence and security forces. Authorities have presented the voluntary surrender period as an opportunity for people to regularise their position or hand in firearms without facing penalties during the programme.
Chapo said that people who continue to hold illegal firearms after December should expect enforcement action. His warning signals a shift from voluntary surrender to compulsory collection once the amnesty period closes.
The President made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the 20th training course for Mozambique’s Police Special Operations and Reserve Units. The appeal forms part of the government’s efforts to strengthen control over firearm circulation and address risks to public order and safety.
Operation Amnesty II follows an earlier weapons collection campaign. In 2025, Mozambique’s police reported recovering 160 illegal firearms and extended that amnesty to mid-December, citing cooperation from communities as an important factor in the results.
Authorities are now urging residents to cooperate with the current operation before the deadline. The government’s challenge will be to carry out the next phase effectively while ensuring that firearm collection is conducted lawfully and safely.
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