Mozambique: Nyusi considers acquittals discouraging in the fight against armed groups

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Mozambique: Nyusi considers acquittals discouraging in the fight against armed groups

4:10 CAT | 06 May 2019

Photo: Sapo

President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique on Friday said he felt the acquittal of defendants accused of involvement in armed violence in the north of the country would de-motivate the country’s Defence and Security Forces, who sometimes meet acquitted defendants in combat later.

Speaking as president of the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo), Nyusi said: “We have seen acquitted individuals returning to the ranks [of the armed groups], because it was said there was no substance [to the charges against them]. This is bad: it discourages the work of those who, despite the risks, fight to protect the population and their assets.”

Addressing the opening session of the Frelimo Central Committee meeting, the president said that the organs of Justice must hold those involved in the armed attacks on civilian and military targets in the north of the country accountable.

“We call on judicial institutions to continue working swiftly for the exemplary accountability of the accused, in order to clarify the true identity and goals of the wrongdoers,” said Filipe Nyusi.

Northern districts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado have been the scene of armed attacks by shadowy groups against the population and Defence and Security Forces there since October 2017.

Source: Lusa