Mozambican president studies measures to reduce the cost of basic food basket

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Mozambican president studies measures to reduce the cost of basic food basket

12:13 CAT | 21 Feb 2025

File photo: O País

Mozambican president Daniel Chapo said today that his government was studying measures to reduce the cost of the “basic food basket” in the country, stating that the people expected “concrete actions” and not “nice speeches”.

“We are studying other measures to reduce the cost of some basic food basket products. As you know, the people expect from us not only nice speeches, but concrete actions that bring effective solutions to their needs,” President Chapo said during the inauguration of new secretaries of state in Maputo.

For the head of state, the priority is the reconstruction of the “social, economic and political fabric” of the country and the “well-being of the Mozambican people”, a process that, he argued, has already been initiated by the new executive in less than 45 days of government.

Among other actions that have a “direct impact on the pockets” of Mozambicans, the president pointed to the reduction in fuel prices, payment of the 13th salary, revitalization of the Mozambican Airlines and creation of a local development fund in districts and municipalities to encourage greater circulation of money “in the hands of the people” as some of the results achieved by the government.

“Dear Secretaries of State, start outlining innovative ways to overcome together the economic and social difficulties that the people suffer, with the aim of bringing smiles back to our compatriots,” Daniel Chapo said to the new leaders, of whom he also asked that “innovation and hard work” be their “greatest allies”.

On Sunday, the President of Mozambique admitted the possibility of removing Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic necessities and intervening to reduce fuel prices, with the aim of easing the cost of living.

On Wednesday, the Mozambican government announced a downward revision of fuel prices, effective today, justifying the measure by the fall in purchase prices on the international market and the need to lower the cost of living.

The head of state swore in the secretaries of state for the sea and fisheries, trade, arts and culture, tourism and transport today, who will assist the ministers in their respective areas, without being members of the government.

Daniel Chapo asked that those sworn in be “enemies of corruption” and that they serve the people and not themselves, or risk being replaced. “Strictly speaking, this type of secretary of state should have more actions than justifications because if there are more excuses than concrete actions, we will have no other alternative but to replace you with other compatriots who can do things differently and better,” he declared.

Mozambique has been experiencing a climate of intense social unrest since October, with demonstrations and strikes called, first, by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who rejects the election results of October 9.

Currently, protests, now on a small scale, have been taking place in different parts of the country and, in addition to contesting the results, people are complaining about the rising cost of living and other social problems.

Since October, at least 327 people have died, including around two dozen minors, and around 750 have been shot during the protests, according to the electoral platform Decide, a non-governmental organization that monitors the electoral processes.

Source: Lusa