“The subject of my nationality was of political interest” – Former prime minister of Mozambique

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“The subject of my nationality was of political interest” – Former prime minister of Mozambique

4:47 CAT | 10 Aug 2016

Magazine Independente

“The Role of Youth in Promoting Human Rights and Development” was the theme of Luisa Diogo’s speech on the first day of the International Human Rights, Citizenship and Access to Information Camp. The former prime minister addressed the subject extensively but in the response session afterwards, the most daring question had little to do with the subject under consideration.

It was journalist Armando Nenane who asked about the merits of the lawsuit filed against journalists who questioned the nationality of Luisa Diogo, prime minister at the time, in a series of articles published in 2008 in the weekly Zambeze. The politically incorrect question spread a chill across the room, but Diogo appeared to welcome the opportunity to clarify the matter and said that she had felt the need to let off steam on the issue for a long time.

“This issue of the nationality of prime minister was a political issue. It was necessary to stop someone who was rising very fast,” she said, implying that the line of questioning was aimed at halting her political career.

The audience reacted with a mixture of laughter and applause. She continued: “An individual who goes to the Ministry of Finance as a technician, was Mozambican. Quickly the individual is section chief, was Mozambican; goes to head of division, was Mozambican; passes to Deputy Director, was Mozambican; national director, was Mozambican. Deputy Minister of Planning and Finance, was Mozambican; Minister of Planning and Finance and then Prime Minister, was Mozambican. When she completes her term and no longer knows what to do with herself, she ceases to be Mozambican.”

Diogo achieved notoriety in the finance sector under President Joaquim Chissano, filling the post of minister alongside that of prime minister in the last years of her last term.

Source: Magazine Independente