Mozambique: Is a state of emergency in sight? – Interview with Quitéria Guirengane

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Mozambique: Is a state of emergency in sight? – Interview with Quitéria Guirengane

6:52 CAT | 05 Nov 2024

File photo: DW

The evolution of the protests leads some to anticipate a state of emergency. But for activist Quiteria Guirengane, this would be Nyusi “shooting himself in the foot”. She says that political power no longer has legitimacy; “they themselves are in lockdown”.

However, there are potential gains for Filipe Nyusi if he declared a state of emergency, namely the continuation of his presidency, as some groups have always believed to be his objective. And from there, he could continue the legal proceedings against him regarding hidden debts abroad or continue to obtain financial benefits through his businesses.

Social activist Quitéria Guirengane believes that this is still the opportunity for the outgoing president to leave through the “proper door”.

DW Africa: It is likely that a state of emergency will be declared. Would this be a reasonable measure?

Quitéria Guirengane: The President declaring a state of emergency at this point is putting a price on his head. He has been making a disproportionate effort internationally to say that the people are not demonstrating, that it is a small group of people, vandals and marginalised individuals who are being manipulated. So, from the moment he declares a state of emergency, he is saying that the country is facing a serious problem. Mozambicans are not saying anything else, they are saying that they want the truth! This fight is about the truth.

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DW Africa: Some groups believe that a state of emergency would bring benefits to President Filipe Nyusi, for example, in the context of natural gas exploration, where companies close to him would guarantee the continuity of financial benefits. It would also protect his possible trial for hidden debts abroad. If it were to be enacted, would such a measure be deliberate?

Quitéria Guirengane : I have always seen this as Machiavellianism. This has always been a vaccine for widespread apathy so that we would not move and accept injustices for fear of Nyusi perpetuating himself in power. But for me the truth today is clear and distinct: even if President Nyusi thinks that declaring a state of emergency will benefit him, as a citizen and employer I have the obligation to convey to him the message that trying to perpetuate himself in power is a shot in the foot. The day he does this, he will be sending a message to those who were still silent. President Nyusi can no longer leave through the right door. If they admit that they chose the wrong path, that they shot at their own people and apologize. Now, persecuting oppressors, arresting us, killing us, silencing us, prohibiting us from going out on the streets, restricting freedoms and guarantees, will mean that within the system those who have been accomplices will have to show a minimum of shame and justice will be served within.

DW Africa: Would a possible state of emergency inhibit massive participation in the final protests of this ‘Phase 3’ called by Venâncio Mondlane?

Quitéria Guirengane: Look, this country is in chaos, the political power no longer has the legitimacy to govern anyone. The government is no longer giving orders, all the government’s orders are disregarded. Today is the day of legality, where are they? The official ceremony was at Praça dos Heróis, but they cancelled it. They themselves are in “lockdown”. Where are they? They are no longer governing their own lives, they are being governed by external forces. At the end of the day, Mozambicans are saying we have nowhere to run, this is our state, our country and we will defend it at all costs.

Source: Deutsche Welle