Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Portuguese ambassador to Mozambique says that Portuguese companies have already recovered from the crisis and vandalism caused by post-election protests, which began a year ago, adding that Portugal expects “concrete proposals” from political dialogue for reforms.
“We have reports of companies that were vandalised, but I believe that, in general, the page has now been turned. The companies have managed to recover, resume their activities and are now looking to the future. We look to the future with great expectation and hope, because we believe in Mozambique,” said the Portuguese ambassador to Mozambique, Jorge Monteiro, in statements to Lusa in Maputo.
In March, the Portuguese Government announced that it was studying mechanisms to support Portuguese-owned companies vandalised in the post-election demonstrations in Mozambique, after the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Cesário, met in Maputo with at least five businessmen who had seen their properties vandalised.
Today, the Portuguese ambassador, who officially took office in September, said that Mozambique had experienced a “very difficult period” after the October 2024 elections, which also affected the international community residing in the country, including Portuguese nationals, indicating that a “new political cycle” in the country is being followed with hope.
“We greatly welcome and are very attentive to the reformist spirit that this Government has been showing it wants to undertake. We believe that these reforms are necessary and that they can contribute to new economic dynamism, job creation and opportunities for young people,” said Jorge Monteiro.
The diplomat promised Portugal’s continued support for the ongoing political dialogue in Mozambique aimed at reforms, with national consultation underway, noting that this is the way to “avoid situations such as those experienced in the aftermath of the elections from happening again.”
“The process is currently underway and we are monitoring it. Portugal, the European Union and the international community in general are closely following the progress of this process and we are still in the dialogue and consultation phase,” said Jorge Monteiro.
‘’I believe that there will come a time when the conclusions will be presented, and I believe that Mozambicans first and foremost expect ambition from this process, that concrete proposals will emerge that will enable the introduction of reforms that the country needs in order to face the challenges of the future with renewed strength, the capacity to include all tendencies and sectors of society and, ultimately, to inspire confidence in Mozambican citizens,’’ concluded the diplomat.
The violence in Mozambique erupted in Maputo on October 21, 2024, two days after the double murder of lawyer Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, supporters of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
On December 23, 2024, two and a half months after the vote, the Constitutional Council proclaimed Daniel Chapo the winner of the presidential election, with 65.17% of the votes in the general election on October 9, 2024, followed by Venâncio Mondlane with 24%, but he never recognised the results.
The electoral platform Decide, a civil society organisation that monitors electoral processes, reported this month that the social unrest had caused 411 deaths and more than 7,200 arrests.
Daniel Chapo and Venâncio Mondlane met in Maputo for the first time since the elections on March 23, 2024, and on the following day the former presidential candidate called for an end to the violence. Since then, there have been no reports of social unrest associated with the electoral dispute.
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