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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Mozambique International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Mozambique International Parental Child Abduction Information

Mozambique

Mozambique
Republic of Mozambique
Reconsider travel to Mozambique due to health issues, crime, civil unrest, and terrorism. Some areas have greater risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Updated to change overall Travel Advisory Level from 2 to 3 and to add the civil unrest risk indicator due to ongoing demonstrations.

Reconsider travel to Mozambique due to health issues, crime, civil unrest, and terrorism. Some areas have greater risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel To:

  • Certain districts in Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces due to terrorism.

Country Summary: Protests frequently occur throughout the country and can quickly become violent. Most protests occur in Maputo, and some have turned violent. Protesters have also engaged in rioting, looting, vandalism and destruction of property. Police responses to protests and large gatherings can quickly become violent, including the use of live ammunition and tear gas. Conversely, police may refuse to maintain public order. Protests may temporarily block major roads, including border crossings and roads leading to airports, making travel unpredictable.

Violent crime, such as muggings, is common.

Terrorist groups in northern Mozambique continue to be active. Attackers may strike public areas with little or no warning.

Mozambique’s health infrastructure is weak, medicine availability is variable and often in short supply. Hospitals remain open, roads leading to the airports are intermittently blocked by protesters, potentially impacting medical evacuation efforts.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Mozambique.

If you decide to travel to Mozambique:

  • Avoid all but emergency travel between sunset and sunrise.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds
  • Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance
  • Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Keep a low profile.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Mozambique.
  • Have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Certain districts in Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorists continue to conduct and plot attacks on government forces, villages, and key supply routes in the districts of Ancuabe, Chuire, Ibo, Macomia, Meluco, Metuge, Mocimboa da Praia, Mueda, Muidumbe, Nangade, Palma, and Quissanga in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, and the bordering districts of Memba and Erati in Nampula Province.

Although attacks have centered around government forces, travelers should be aware of their surroundings, especially in large public places

Be aware of increased government security checkpoints in Cabo Delgado Province.

If you must travel to the affected areas of Cabo Delgado, consider hiring a security firm.

Cabo Delgado’s capital city of Pemba – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Pemba is vulnerable to attack due to the proximity of violent extremist forces and their increasing sophistication.

 Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Maputo
Avenida Marginal, 5467
Maputo, Mozambique
Telephone:+(258) 84-095-8000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone:+(258) 85-591-1911
Email: MaputoConsular@state.gov

For information concerning travel to Mozambique, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Mozambique.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here. 

Mozambique is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Mozambique and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  The government of Mozambique does not maintain information about custody, visitation, and family law on the Internet.  

Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Mozambique and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.  

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction.  For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child.  The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

U.S. Department of State 
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
CA/OCS/CI 
SA-17, 9th Floor 
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Website: childabduction.state.gov 
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction is a crime in Mozambique. 

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court.  Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.  

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Mozambique and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States.  Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mozambique for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Mozambique are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique posts list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law. 

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

The institution responsible for mediating all children related issues is the Tribunal dos Menores (juvenile court). Mediation may be proposed as a remedy in custody disputes, although the court would not be able to provide much assistance in access cases for a left behind parent because parental abduction is not discussed as a crime in the Family Law.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: January 4, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Maputo
Avenida Marginal, 5467
Telephone
+(258) 840958000
Emergency
+(258) 855911911 or (+258) 840958000
Fax
null
Email
MaputoUSCitizens@state.gov
Website
https://mz.usembassy.gov/

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