Armando Guebuza testifies in Mozambique's 'hidden debts' trial; Macron backs EU funding for Mozambique peacekeeping
Welcome to Zitamar’s daily Mozambique briefing for 18 February 2022
Agenda:
Today: Day two of Armando Guebuza’s testimony in the ‘hidden debts’ trial
Today: President Nyusi at EU-AU summit in Brussels
Zitamar Podcast:
Armando Guebuza testifies in Mozambique's 'hidden debts' trial
A quick episode about the showdown currently going on at the hidden debts trial
The latest from Zitamar News:
Guebuza says Nyusi should answer ‘hidden debt’ questions
Armando Guebuza took responsibility for commissioning the failed $2bn project, but claimed the then defence minister, Filipe Nyusi, was key decision-maker
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Very heavy rains and wind are forecast across central and northern Mozambique over the next 48 hours
The Zitamar Podcast
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Also in the news:
Macron backs EU funding for Mozambique peacekeeping (Business Day)
Tax revenues from mega-projects increase in 2021 (Carta de Moçambique)
Resettlement claim dismissed in court case against Montepuez Ruby Mining (Club of Mozambique)
Inside the militias supporting Cabo Delgado counterinsurgency (Savana)
Seven days for final allegations to be heard in ‘hidden debts’ trial (Savana)
Macron backs EU funding for Mozambique peacekeeping (Business Day)
The European Union (EU) could contribute funds for peacekeeping efforts in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province after its sixth summit with the African Union (AU) this week. French president Emmanuel Macron, whose government took over its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU in January, at the opening of the AU-EU summit on Thursday indicated that the EU would support this intervention. Macron praised Rwanda’s efforts along with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to, “find an unprecedented solution for Mozambique,” and said the United Nations (UN) should be persuaded to provide support. France’s announcement followed a meeting in Paris on Wednesday between Macron and his African and European allies ahead of the summit. Macron said Europe has also faced destabilisation as a result of terrorism.
Tax revenues from mega-projects increase in 2021 (Carta de Moçambique)
Mozambique's mega-projects contributed MZN28.3bn ($443.8m) in tax revenue in 2021, a 40.3% increase from the previous year, according to data from the economy and finance minister released on Wednesday. The amount represents 10.6% of the total revenue collected by the government. The main contributors were projects in the energy sector, which generated MZN13.4bn, followed by oil exploration and mineral resources exploration.
Resettlement claim dismissed in court case against Montepuez Ruby Mining (Club of Mozambique)
Thirty-nine claimants who believe they have been unfairly excluded from the resettlement process of the Nthoro Community (“RAP”) by Montepuez Ruby Mining have been dismissed in court for not qualifying as members of the community. Members of the community were required either to be registered on the population censuses of 2014 and 2017, or to assert membership under a moratorium by the government of Cabo Delgado Province until 2 May 2018 in order to acquire resettlement. The Judicial Court of Cabo Delgado province confirmed that the claimants had not been certified because the limitation period expired. The village of Nthoro is known for various influxes of illegal miners and migrants who do not classify as bona fide residents.
Inside the militias supporting Cabo Delgado counterinsurgency (Savana)
Savana reporting describes the existence of local militias in Cabo Delgado province, after President Fililpe Nyusi decorated 230 members of a local militia during the “Heroes’ Day” celebrations. Even though the existence of local militias was previously considered illegal, the fighters have been protecting small villages and districts affected by the insurgency, and are estimated to comprise men and women between the ages of 25 and 70. Some combatants are said to have been trained in China and Russia and also fought during the civil war. A local source cites the poor management of the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) for why such militias exist, and they have been crucial in the fight against the insurgency alongside foreign troops due to their local knowledge, despite their relative lack of funding.
Seven days for final allegations to be heard in ‘hidden debts’ trial (Mediafax)
Having heard the case for the defence in the so-called ‘hidden debts’ trial, Judge Efigénio Baptista has ruled that prosecutors have 15 days to prepare their final case. The decision announced by the judge indicates a seven-day deadline for the preparation of the allegations, a mid-term period calculated after evaluating the 15 days requested by the Ministério Público and only 24 hours requested by the defence. Just yesterday, the tribunal shared information related to the existence of an application to seize the defendants’ assets. The court had already issued an order, but the content has not been shared.