Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican president Daniel Chapo on Wednesday called on judges to be the “sharp edge of the knife in the fight against corruption”, saying that the country’s development needs magistrates “committed to the truth”.
“There can be no development or economic independence, which we desire, without justice. And there is no justice without judges committed to the truth, to legality and to the common good. In other words, without judges who are the cutting edge in the fight against corruption,” said Daniel Chapo, when swearing in new leaders of the Administrative Court (TA) and the Supreme Court (TS) at the Presidency Office in Maputo.
The head of state called on the justice system to take concrete action to combat corruption, which he admitted existed in public bodies.
“At a time of profound and rapid change worldwide, we are talking about economic, social and technological transformations, and the Mozambican justice system must position itself as a strategic agent of development, promoting confidence in legal security and social equity,” said Chapo.
He added that Mozambique’s “vision as a developed, fair and competitive country requires a justice system that works on an equal footing for all,” resolving cases “quickly, promoting peace and setting an example of rigour, integrity, responsibility, competence and transparency.”
During today’s ceremony, Ana Maria Gemo Bié was sworn in as president of the Administrative Tribunal (TA), Matilde Augusto Monjane as vice-president of the Supreme Court (TS), Carlos Pedro Mondlane as judge of the TS and Alberto Hawa Januário Nkutumula, elected by parliament as judge of the Constitutional Council.
“The country’s progress depends on a swift, transparent justice system that is accessible to our citizens. An efficient judicial system is, by its very nature, an essential factor in economic efficiency. Modern economies are based on contracts, rights and guarantees, and on their predictable resolution in the event of litigation,” warned the head of state.
Chapo recalled that “where the law is neither swift, stable nor predictable, uncertainty reigns”, which in turn is “the enemy of production, investment and the creation of opportunities”.
“If we want to establish Mozambique as a safe destination for domestic and foreign investment, we must continue to invest in the modernisation of our justice system, in strengthening its institutional capacity and in enhancing the role of its operators,” he stated.
For the Mozambican president, investors’ awareness “depends increasingly on the perception” about “the soundness of public institutions, the integrity of their servants, the integrity of the State and the effectiveness of justice”. This includes “predictable, impartial and independent judicial systems” and that “elections are free, fair and transparent”, or that “in the event of litigation, disputes will be judged with justice, impartiality, swiftness and in a timely manner”.
“Above all, they seek an institutional environment where the law is not an empty promise, but an effective guarantee. It is in this sense that we reiterate our call for the continued strengthening of the judiciary as a structural pillar of the rule of law and of our democratic, economic, social and environmental stability,” said the Mozambican head of state, insisting on the “impartiality” of judges.
“An independent and impartial judge is not a luxury in our democracies. It is their foundation. Without him, public trust collapses. Without him, there is no sustainable social peace. Without him, justice loses its meaning and value. (…) We have also renewed our commitment to improving the operating conditions of the courts and the Constitutional Council, to the ongoing training of their staff and to the ethical enhancement of our judiciary,” Chapo added.
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