Africa-Press – Mozambique. Switzerland will support parts of northern Mozambique affected by the armed insurgency with a programme valued at US$123 million (€115 million), Swiss President Alain Berset announced yesterday in Maputo.
“About US$123 million, over four years” will be used to supply Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula provinces with basic services such as water and electricity, he said.
Alain was speaking in Maputo this Wednesday (08-02) after a meeting with the Mozambican head of state, Filipe Nyusi, at the start of a three-day visit to Mozambique.
“Peace and security are priorities” for Switzerland, Berset stressed.
In 2021, Switzerland disbursed US$10 million (€9 million) for an inclusive development project in the same provinces.
In addition to support for the north, President Berset promised the continuation of Swiss support for the peace process resulting from the agreements signed in 2019 between the Government of the Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frelimo) and the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo).
Filipe Nyusi explained that Mozambique is in the process of “raising resources to make it sustainable and feasible” to allocate pensions to former Renamo guerrillas who have been demobilized.
Under the process, around 4,700 of a total of 5,221 former guerrillas (90%) have already handed over their weapons, with some incorporated into the Mozambican defence and security forces.
Alain Berset is the first Swiss president to travel to Mozambique. His visit ends on Friday (10-02).
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