Renamo against President of Mozambique’s visit to Botswana

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Renamo against President of Mozambique’s visit to Botswana

11:31 CAT | 12 Apr 2017

Lusa (File photo) / Ivone Soares

The parliamentary bench of Renamo, the main opposition party in Mozambique, has come out against the visit of President Filipe Nyusi to Botswana scheduled for April 24-25.

A document signed by the leader of the bench, Ivone Soares, and released yesterday by the Mozambique Information Agency, says that the country is in a serious financial crisis, with negative repercussions on the life of the citizens.

Renamo’s challenge comes after the party was called to a meeting of the standing committee to discuss the matter, as presidential visits have to be approved by parliament.

Opposition party MP questions the cost and the purpose of the visit, which Soares says were not revealed, and says that the government’s priority should be internal affairs rather than frequent visits abroad with unknown agendas and results.

The ruling party Frelimo enjoys a comfortable parliamentary majority, which should make the visit possible, adds AIM.

Mozambique and Botswana are both members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Botswana’s President Ian Khama paid a state visit to Mozambique in May 2016, during which the two countries signed an agreement on geology and mining that will give Mozambique access to Botswana’s experience in these areas.

Botswana is also interested in exporting coal to the Mozambican coast via a new railway line.

Source: Lusa