Mozambique: Maputo hosts 'Samora Machel and Southern Africa' conference
Photo: TVM
The Mozambican government on Wednesday issued a statement advocating the “cessation of hostilities” in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, and the relaunch of “constructive dialogue”, adding that it is in contact with Mozambicans who fled Ukraine because of the Russian invasion.
“We call for the exercise of moderation, the protection of human life, the cessation of hostilities and for the re-launch of a constructive dialogue between the parties involved, with a view to a lasting political solution,” reads a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the first official pronouncement from the Mozambican government on the matter.
For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the solution to the conflict must be based on the “cardinal principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in order to guarantee the peaceful coexistence of the parties to the conflict”, or the hostilities could have “harmful consequences” for Europe and the world.
The Maputo government also reiterates that it is in contact with the Mozambicans who fled Ukraine because of the conflict, a group mainly composed of students now being supported by Mozambicans living in neighbouring countries.
“We currently have 15 Mozambican students in Ukraine. Of this number, four are in Poland, five in Hungary, two in Romania, one in Moldova, two on their way to Slovakia and one is already back in Mozambique,” the ministry details, although the number of students in Ukraine differs from that announced yesterday by the honorary consul of Ukraine in Maputo, Abílio Soeiro, who told Lusa that there were 18 students there.
Read: Ukraine invasion could lead to higher fuel and bread prices, warns Mozambican government – AIM
At the United Nations General Assembly, also this Wednesday, five countries voted against the resolution demanding an end to the Russian invasion. Mozambique, along with Angola and 33 other countries, abstained.
The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, party in power since independence) was an ally of Moscow during the time of the former USSR, and received military support during the fight against Portuguese colonialism and economic aid after independence in 1975.
In the early hours of February 24, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on three fronts, with ground forces advancing and shelling in several cities. Kyiv authorities had by Thursday reported more than 2,000 civilian deaths, including children, and, according to the UN, the attacks had already displaced more than 100,000 people, with at least 836,000 refugees fleeing into Poland, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.
Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the “special military operation” in Ukraine with the need to demilitarise the neighbouring country, saying it was the only way for Russia to defend itself. He said the offensive would last as long as necessary.
The attack has been condemned by the international community at large, and the European Union and the United States, among others, responded by sending arms and ammunition to Ukraine and strengthening economic sanctions to further isolate Moscow.
Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke to the press. Watch the TVM report.
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