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Mozambique: Neutrality not possible in face of invasion of Ukraine – US diplomat
8:02 CAT | 27 Jan 2023
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks at a press conference at the Joaquim Chissano University facilities at the end of a two-day visit to Mozambique, in Maputo, Mozambique, 27 January 2023. Mozambique assumed last month its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. [Photo: Luisa Fonseca/Lusa]
The US ambassador to the United Nations said on Friday that she respects Mozambique’s foreign policy, but reaffirmed the position that one cannot be neutral in the face of the war in Ukraine.
“It is important that the world sees this for what it is: an attack on the charter of principles of the United Nations, on the sovereignty of an independent country and on a neighbour,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a news conference at the end of a two-day visit to Mozambique. “We call on the world to help Ukraine defend itself.”
She added: “Mozambique’s positions are Mozambique’s positions. “We do not ask countries to side with one side or choose between friends. Mozambique is an independent country and takes its own positions.”
Mozambique has abstained in votes condemning Russia at the United Nations and this month began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Its president, Filipe Nyusi, has said that neutrality puts Mozambique in a better position to promote dialogue.
Regardless of such differences, Thomas-Greenfield on Friday reaffirmed her desire to work closely with Mozambique, particularly in areas such as the climate crisis and security in Southern Africa.
“We work together with Mozambique and with each member of the Security Council,” she said, stressing that if the countries that make up the Council do not cooperate, it “does not work.”
The US ambassador had earlier met with officials from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Mozambique, who told her of local shortages of some products and a steep rise in prices of others, such as fertilisers, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
These are factors that worsen food insecurity in Africa, she noted, but “records show that Russia exported at least as much, if not more wheat, after the war than before.”
In the face of global risks, she said, the US “supports the UN secretary-general’s Black Sea initiative to enable more exports from Ukraine and Russia.
“But despite the initiative, Russia continues to block access to the Black Sea,” she added, noting that this hindered the flow of wheat, “with great impact” on consumers in Africa.
Before leaving Mozambique for Kenya, as part of her tour of Africa, Thomas-Greenfield visited UN agencies in the country. She said that the “impact of international aid on the Mozambican people has been impressive.”
The US is the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Mozambique.
The past two days in Mozambique have reinforced what I’ve always known to be true: the 🇺🇸🇲🇿 partnership will shape not only the future of the region, but the future of the world.
And that future will be one of greater peace, security, and prosperity for all. pic.twitter.com/v80GJY3kpa
— Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) January 27, 2023
Source: Lusa
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