Mozambique: Govt promises to pay salaries and pensions by Dec. 20 , settle debts to suppliers

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Mozambique: Govt promises to pay salaries and pensions by Dec. 20 , settle debts to suppliers

5:09 CAT | 12 Dec 2024

Photo: O País

The Mozambican government today promised to pay December’s pensions and salaries by the 20th of this month and to speed up the payment of the state’s debts to suppliers, estimated at 1.4 billion meticais (€20.8 million).

“The aim of these measures is to ensure access to food services and products for Mozambican families,” declared Minister of Transport and Communications Mateus Magala during the opening of the economic report of the Confederation of Economic Activities of Mozambique (CTA) for the third quarter of the year in Maputo.

According to Minister Magala, the measures are being taken to minimize the consequences of the demonstrations and strikes called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who rejects the election results announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE), and to ensure a better festive season for Mozambicans.

Minister Magala announced that the government would pay at least 3.1 billion meticais (€46.1 million) in basic social protection subsidies by December 20.

10% discount on interprovincial transport

In order to mitigate the impacts of the demonstrations during the festive season and ensure access and prevent price increases for basic products such as rice, cooking oil, corn flour and sugar, the Mozambican government will also guarantee 10% discounts on interprovincial transport from December 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025, he also announced.

Magala committed the government to exempting from handling fees 94 tons of food products at the Maputo Fishing Port, from December 15 to January 15, 2025.

“These measures will only be effective and have the desired impact with the support of the private sector (…). The current adverse situation we are going through, motivated by post-election demonstrations, deserves joint actions from all of us to overcome them and move forward,” said the minister, acknowledging that the country faces new challenges.

“The adverse effects of the volatility of food prices, as well as the water crisis caused by persistent droughts, and the impacts of climate change, continue to receive the government’s attention,” he acknowledged.

Protests against the election results have brought chaos to the streets in several parts of the country, with at least 110 people dead and more than 300 injured as a result of clashes between police and protesters since October 21, according to an updated report by the electoral platform NGO Decide.

The results of the October 9 elections announced by the National Electoral Commission gave victory to Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo with 70.67% of the vote, but they still need to be validated by the Constitutional Council, the last instance of appeal in electoral disputes.

In one of his most recent broadcasts on Facebook, Mondlane promised to be in Maputo to take office as President of Mozambique on January 15, the date scheduled for the inauguration of the new head of state.

“The fifth elected President of the Republic of Mozambique, elected by the people, will take office on the 15th. Stay prepared,” Mondlane declared.

Source: Lusa