Mozambican president announces civil society participation in discussions on state reforms
Mozambique: President urges judges to defend legality and fight corruption – AIM
8:08 CAT | 06 May 2025
Photo: Presidency
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Monday urged the country’s judges to remain firm in the defence of legality, ethics and transparency.
Speaking in Maputo at a ceremony marking Mozambican Judges’ Day, Chapo warned that “justice undermined by corruption is a direct threat to democracy, to the trust of citizens in institutions and to the development of our country”.
Chapo praised the judges for their “selfless work” over the years and stressed their importance in building the rule of law, declaring that judges are independent and owe obedience only to the Constitution and the law.
The Mozambican Association of Judges (AMJ) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, under the theme “20 years for a respected and safe magistrature, free of corruption and committed to human rights”.
Chapo stressed the need to fight against all practices that weaken the judicial system. Recalling the commitment he had made during his inauguration on 15 January, the President said “justice cannot be a distant promise” and pledged that his government will work to overcome a scenario marked by lethargy in procedures, dissatisfaction among magistrates and threats to judicial independence.
The government, he added, intends to reform the country’s penal legislation, set up a Constitutional Court (to replace the current Constitutional Council) and an Accounts Tribunal, and to modernise the prison system.
Chapo told the judges that the government cannot achieve its goals “without your immeasurable commitment to applying the law and administering justice”.
He claimed that the AMJ has emerged stronger and more united despite the assassination of several of its members. “If those who murder judges think that this noble class of professionals will bend the knee, they have found that in reality they have provoked greater unity and strength”, he said.
At the ceremony, the AMJ chairperson Esmeraldo Matavele reaffirmed the commitment of justices to serve “with justice, integrity and honesty”.
“Only with a respected and protected magistrature can a truly democratic society be built”, he added.
Source: AIM
Show comments
Also read
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.