Mozambique working to restore trust with partners – Frelimo spokesperson

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Mozambique working to restore trust with partners – Frelimo spokesperson

11:08 CAT | 31 Jul 2017

File photo / Frelimo spokesperson António Niquice

The Central Committee Secretary for Mobilisation and Propaganda and spokesperson for the ruling Frelimo Party, António Niquice, on Friday declared that Mozambique is working to restore confidence from cooperation partners who suspended their financial support last year over undeclared debts.

Speaking at a press briefing on the side-lines of the 6th Ordinary Session of the Frelimo Central Committee, a two-day event started in Maputo on Thursday, Niquice explained that the organs of sovereignty are dealing with the debt case.

According to Niquice, the steps taken so far, including the recent visit to Mozambique by a technical team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), are clear indications of country’s willingness to regain the trust of cooperation partners.

“Frelimo respects the principle of separation of powers and, therefore, encourages law institutions to work to clear this case. When the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, states that ‘Mozambique is back’ is in recognition of those achievements,” said Niquice.

He added that all stakeholders, including Mozambican people as well as cooperation partners understand that Mozambican political, economic and social processes have their own peculiarities.

“There are institutions dealing with this case. It (the case) will end being explained with the on-going process and once explained we will be able to understand the reasons that led to some decisions,” said Niquice.

All other major western partners followed the IMF’s lead and suspended financial aid to Mozambique. In particular, the 14 donors that used to provide direct support to the Mozambican state budget suspended their disbursements. A basic condition for restoring normal relations was an independent audit of Ematum, Proindicus and MAM – hence the hiring of the London branch of the forensic auditing company Kroll Associates.

Resumption of financial aid is pending on the publication of the full auditing report.

As for the 6th Session of the Central Committee, which is expected to finish late this Friday, Niquice stressed that it is a prelude of what could happen in the upcoming 11th Congress, which will take place between 26 September and 1 October. He said that the stage is set for the Congress to take place in a party-like atmosphere.

“This session has discussed structuring issues about the life of the State, society and the party itself”, he said.

Niquice explained that delegates were happy to the see that recommendations left by Party’s President, who is also the incumbent Head of State, have been followed to the letter. This has led to a gradual increase of production and export revenues.

“In a situation where the country is not receiving external support, this popular response to President Nyusi’s message for the increase of production is a show of patriotism,” he said.

On the first day, the delegates discussed the report of the Central Committee that shows how the Congress will be organised. Other cross-cutting issues were also discussed, such as the peace process.

Source: AIM