Frelimo warns of risk of looting during protests against debt

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Frelimo warns of risk of looting during protests against debt

5:37 CAT | 28 Apr 2016

Lusa (File Photo) / A street in Maputo, capital of Mozambique

Frelimo, the governing party in Mozambique, and two Maputo informal traders associations yesterday warned of the risk of looting and destruction in the event of demonstrations against hidden public debts.

In a press conference, the first secretary of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) in Maputo, Francisco Mabjaia, urged residents of the Mozambican capital not to join the demonstrations that have been called on social networks, warning of that there is a risk that these actions may result in unrest and destruction.

“The struggle for democracy has to be made with dialogue and peace, and not through demonstrations that may result in destruction, so we appeal to the public not to join demonstrations that may affect stability in our city,” Mabjaia said.

Sudêkar Novela, president of the informal importers’ Mukhero Association, similarly warned of the risk of looting and damage to property in the event of demonstrations.

“A popular uprising has nothing to do with the looting and vandalism that could happen if these demonstrations are held,” Novel said.

Recalling the looting and damage to property that occurred during riots over the rising cost of living in Maputo in the past, Novela said that any protests against over government debts would result in loss of trade and even of life.

President of the Association of Informal Economy of Mozambique, Marrengula Ramos, added his voice to the chorus of concern, saying that his organization is cautioning its members in the main Maputo markets not to join demonstrations, because they will offer an opportunity for looting.

“Demonstrations called anonymously are illegal and would have serious consequences for us all,” said Marrengula.

On Monday, the Mozambican police said they would crack down on any illegal marches, referring to anonymous messages on social networks calling for demonstrations against the recently discovered debts contracted secretly by the state.

“The police are ready to suppress any illegal march that could undermine public order,” spokesman for the Police of the Republic of Mozambique in Maputo Orlando Modumane said in the weekly police press conference.

Messages calling for demonstrations over the recently discovered undisclosed debts have been circulating on social networks in Mozambique. One message called for a demonstration on Friday and another invites Mozambicans to “paralyze the country” between 3 and 7 May when President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugual visits Mozambique.

On Tuesday, the Mozambican Government recognized the existence of a US$1.4 billion (EUR 1.25 billion) debt not recorded in the public accounts, which it justified on national security grounds.

After the revelations in the international financial press of hidden debt in the public accounts, the IMF cancelled a visit to Mozambique scheduled for last week, and suspended the disbursement of the second installment of a loan to the government.

Rises in the price of essential goods prices led to riots in Maputo in 2008 and 2010, leaving a trail of destruction and several killed in clashes with police.

Source: Lusa