“Peace is here to stay” – Joaquim Chissano encourages Portuguese to invest in Mozambique

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“Peace is here to stay” – Joaquim Chissano encourages Portuguese to invest in Mozambique

3:17 CAT | 06 Jul 2018

Interview with Joaquim Chissano, Former President of Mozambique to Rádio Renascença. Photo: RR

In an interview with Portuguese Rádio Renascença, on the day António Costa arrived in Mozambique on an official visit, the former Mozambican president advised investors to remain in the country, despite recent episodes of violence.

Despite episodes of violence in northern Mozambique, which he classified as terrorism, Joaquim Chissano advised Portuguese investors to remain in the country.

In an interview with Rádio Renascença, on the day António Costa arrived in Mozambique on an official visit, the former Mozambican president stressed that panic only favours terrorism. He also reminded him that the country is big and the disturbances are located in certain areas, although he admitted that the situation is worrisome.

On a larger scale, the man who led Mozambique for 19 years, is convinced that the war is over and that peace between Frelimo and Renamo is here to stay.

Joaquim Chissano hopes that the visit of the Portuguese prime minister will serve to reinforce mutual understanding and cooperation.

What expectations does the official visit of the Portuguese Prime Minister serve?

Normally, when a PM comes to Mozambique, it’s a good thing. Our relations have been good, according to my observation though from afar. This visit will strengthen these relationships.

He will have contact with the Mozambican reality firsthand and this will allow for better planning of the relations. It strengthens understanding, friendship and cooperation.

There has, moreover, been a greater understanding between the two countries than, for example, in relations between Portugal and Angola …

I can not compare, Angolans know better. As they say, my wound always hurts more than the neighbour’s. In this case, it is not a pain at all. I am just saying that relations between Mozambique and Portugal are good, but how good they are compared to other countries, I can not say.

There has been violence in recent times in Mozambique, which has generated some fears in the Portuguese business people. How can these investors be reassured?

These are practical questions that need to be addressed to the Government of Mozambique, of which I am not a member. I am an individual, a national citizen and a quiet one. I do not have this information.

What is the picture of Mozambique at the moment?

It is going in peace and nothing points to a return to war. We have been following the terrorist situation in the north of the country, but this is not a return to war among the belligerents of yesterday.

Between Renamo and the Government of Mozambique they is an understanding that peace has come to stay. What is lacking there is the ongoing process of demilitarisation and demobilisation. Nothing points to a setback.

You did, however, speak of the situation in northern Mozambique, where there is a somewhat different instability, which has to do with extremist groups. What is your take on what is happening?

This is bad, no one knows who these individuals are, let alone what they want. They are acts of terrorism, murders, destructions and whose motives are not known.

But can this drive away the investment in Mozambique itself?

It may affect yes, but I do not know its effects at this time. We had a war of 16 years and there were investments that were made even then. Before we reached peace there was work and destruction was great. Therefore, if anyone panics now this will only favour terrorism.

Would you advise potential Portuguese investors to bet on Mozambique?

Yes, because I see a lot of people doing work here and the country is great. It is not everywhere that there is disturbances and they are not permanent. They attack, move away and attack elsewhere. But that this is how it is. I believe in many countries where they are murders like these and life has continued.

By Pedro Mesquita

Source: Rádio Renascença