Mozambique: President asks police to ensure normal functioning

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Mozambique: President asks police to ensure normal functioning

7:18 CAT | 01 Dec 2023

Photo: Ministério do Interior-MINT

Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday called on the country’s police force to guarantee the “normal functioning of institutions” and warned that insults and violence do not fall under citizens’ freedoms.

“Naturally, don’t use something to call yourself a free man when you insult or hit someone,” said the head of state, speaking at the opening of the consultative council of the Ministry of the Interior, which is being held today in Maputo.

“Your mission must also contribute to the normal functioning of institutions,” he appealed.

Several Mozambican cities, including Maputo, have seen various demonstrations in recent weeks, some of which have seen the police resorting to using firearms and tear gas, against protest regarding the results announced for the local elections on 11 October.

The Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo, the largest opposition party) has led these street protests, claiming victory in the country’s largest cities, which was not confirmed by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) or by the Constitutional Council, and strongly criticising the suitability of the advisory judges and the directors of the electoral bodies, while announcing that criminal charges for falsifying the results have been filed against those responsible.

This week, the commander of the police, Bernardino Rafael, was also the target of a criminal case brought by Renamo before the Attorney General’s Office for police intervention during the campaign, on polling day and in the post-election process of the Friday municipal elections.

Without ever referring to the electoral process or the police intervention, the head of state appealed to the police: “Stay focused, don’t get discouraged. Because an external force will always discourage you, external in the negative sense.”

“Stay focused. Your task is very clear. You are for the internal security of all people. All people, regardless of political or religious belief, race or tribe. No,” he insisted.

The president asked the police to “protect anyone who is attacked” but reminded them that in order to do so “you have to be present”.

“We realise that we have to be present in order to prevent crime,” he said, stressing that “no one should be afraid of the police” if they are acting correctly.

“The police are there to protect people and property. How do you protect people and property? By being close to people and close to property. So don’t be afraid,” he emphasised.

Nyusi recalled that the police competencies are laid down in the Constitution, which also establishes the fundamental rights of citizens.

“And all of this is done with respect for the Constitution and legality. That has to exist. The last message I would like to give is exactly that. Don’t lose focus, respect the Constitution, respect the institutions, respect citizens’ freedoms, but you have to be present, you have to be present in order to protect,” he concluded.

Source: Lusa