New office expected to improve citizen access to justice and serve as a pilot model for future provincial delegations
The Ombudsman of Mozambique, Isaque Chande, officially swore in Clemente Momola as the Delegate of the Provincial Delegation of the Provedor de Justiça in Cabo Delgado on 5 March. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the institution, as the newly established office becomes the first provincial delegation of the Ombudsman since the institution’s establishment in 2012.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ombudsman Chande described the Cabo Delgado delegation as a pilot initiative that will guide the establishment of similar provincial offices across the country. The initiative aims to bring the Ombudsman institution closer to citizens, facilitate easier access to complaint mechanisms, and ensure faster processing of grievances related to public administration.
Mr Chande emphasized that the creation of provincial delegations reflects the institution’s commitment to strengthening accessibility and responsiveness in public oversight mechanisms. By decentralizing its services, the Ombudsman’s office seeks to ensure that citizens in remote regions can effectively seek redress for administrative injustices and engage more directly with public authorities.
Addressing the newly appointed delegate, the Ombudsman encouraged proactive outreach to raise public awareness about the institution’s mandate and its role in protecting citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms. He stressed that the presence of the Ombudsman in Cabo Delgado should have a tangible and positive impact on the daily lives of residents, particularly by facilitating dialogue between citizens and public institutions.
The Ombudsman further underlined that the delegation should serve as a trusted point of assistance for citizens, providing clear guidance on their concerns and ensuring that complaints are promptly transmitted to the appropriate authorities.
Highlighting the ethical standards expected from the delegation, Chande noted that the office must operate according to the principles of integrity, responsibility, honesty, professionalism, teamwork, and humility. He firmly warned against any practices that could undermine public trust, including corruption, nepotism, bureaucratic delays, or poor service delivery.
“We do not want and cannot allow our delegation in Cabo Delgado to be associated with acts of corruption, poor service to citizens, nepotism, or bureaucracy. It must be an example of public service,” he stated.
Mr Chande also stressed the importance of maintaining systematic monitoring of cases handled by the delegation and sustaining constructive engagement with public institutions to ensure timely responses to citizens’ complaints in accordance with legal timeframes.
The Ombudsman expressed hope that the presence of the delegation will lead to greater public engagement with the institution, noting that Cabo Delgado has historically recorded relatively low numbers of complaints.
“We are committed to supporting you in everything necessary to successfully discharge your role,” he concluded.
The establishment of the Cabo Delgado office marks an important step in Mozambique’s efforts to strengthen institutional accountability and enhance citizens’ access to administrative justice at the provincial level.
