Mário Soares “an African hero who lived in Europe” – Daviz Simango

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Mário Soares “an African hero who lived in Europe” – Daviz Simango

12:44 CAT | 09 Jan 2017

Lusa (File photo) / Daviz Simango

MDM President Daviz Simango felt the death of Mário Soares deeply.

Speaking about the qualities of the former Portuguese head of state, the Mozambican politician highlighted the importance of Soares in Mozambique’s decolonization, saying the country owed him much.

Due to the former Portuguese statesman’s involvement with Mozambique and several other African countries, Daviz Simango has no reticence in declaring that: “Mário Soares is an African hero who lived in Europe”.

“It’s sad news. We send our heartfelt condolences to the Portuguese Republic, the Portuguese, the family of Dr. Mário Soares and the Socialist party. We here remember very well Dr. Mário Soares’ role in our decolonization process,” said Simango, describing the circumstances that contributed to sealing the relationship between Portugal and Mozambique.

“Mozambicans owe him a lot, especially since he was a victim of São Tomé’s ‘xibalo’ [forced labour] system. Many Mozambicans, especially here in the Central region, did not return from São Tomé, and he saw it with his own eyes. He felt it on his skin. And, of course, that motivated him all the more.”

Despite being a European, Soares was closely involved in the processes of Portuguese colonization and imperialism in Mozambique. Simango highlighted Soares’ relationship with Dr. Humberto Delgado, who was also opposed to the regime, and for whom Beira city voted overwhelmingly in the 1958 Portuguese presidential elections.

“This prompted Soares to get to know the African life better, and to defend Africans. So Mozambique and Africa owe him a lot. In the end, he is an African hero, but residing in Europe. There is much more to say about Dr. Mário Soares, but history will continue to speak of him in Africa,” Simango predicted.

Source: O País