SANF 20 no 01
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has called for peace and national unity, saying a united nation is key to sustainable development.
In his inaugural speech on 15 January, Nyusi said as leader of the country he will ensure that all Mozambicans despite their political affiliations benefit from various socio-economic activities, programmes and projects initiated by the government.
“Five years ago, in a ceremony like this, I announced that I would be president of all Mozambicans. I renew this promise, to work for the Mozambique we all dream for.
“Our agenda is to develop Mozambique. Our agenda is that this development is not done at the cost of injustice, conceit, or inequality,” he said, adding that “we should all work together so that Mozambique grows and accommodates all Mozambicans.”
Nyusi, who is now serving his second and final term in office as stipulated by the Mozambican Constitution said his priority focus will be on improving key areas of the economy such as agriculture, tourism, health and industrialization as well as consolidating and promoting peace in the country.
To drive and implement the aspirations of the nation, Nyusi has appointed a vibrant cabinet made up of experienced ministers.
For example, Speaker of National Assembly, Veronica Macamo has been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
Macamo was an active chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (PF), which is lobbying for transformation to a regional parliament.
To ensure continuity, Adriano Maleiane was reappointed Minister of Economy and Finance, while Augusta Maita, who has been the general director of the country’s relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) was appointed Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries.
On regional integration, President Nyusi said Mozambique will continue to uphold the ideals of the founding fathers of SADC.
The founding fathers of SADC who included the founding Presidents of the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana namely Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda and Seretse Khama respectively sacrificed the economic freedom of their countries to ensure that the rest of the region achieved political independence.
This golden generation of selfless leaders believed in a united region where all the citizens enjoy high living standards and peace.
“Regional integration within SADC will be at the top of our agenda. We will reshape the relationship of friendship, solidarity and cooperation with African states.”
In August this year, Mozambique is scheduled to host the 40th SADC Heads of States and Government Summit, where President Nyusi will assume the SADC chair from his counterpart, President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli of Tanzania.
Nyusi, who is the leader of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) was re-elected President after winning the 15 October 2019 national elections with 73 percent of the votes cast, against 21 percent by his closest rival, Ossufo Momade of the Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo).
The results were further validated by the Mozambican Constitutional Council in November 2019 after the opposition party challenged the results announced by the National Elections Commission.
Under the Mozambican electoral law, the president is directly elected after winning 50 percent plus one of the valid votes cast.
Nyusi, who first assumed office in 2014 is the fourth president of Mozambique since the country gained its independence in 1975.
In the 250-member House of Assembly, Frelimo got 71 percent of the seats, while Renamo and the MDM garnered 22 percent and four percent, respectively.
Parliamentarians in Mozambique are elected through a system of party-list proportional representation based on the country’s provinces.
This was the first time that elections for provincial governors were held following a change to legislation on provisional assemblies that that made in early 2019.
In the provincial assembly elections, Frelimo won in all 10 provinces, with majorities ranging from 60 percent in Nampula to 95 percent in Gaza.
Under the legislation change, the person who heads the list of the winning party automatically becomes the provincial governor. sardc.net
