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'Hidden debts' accomplices jailed, including Guebuza son

'Hidden debts' accomplices jailed, including Guebuza son

Ndambi Guebuza and others return to jail, as opposition leaders meet to discuss toppling Frelimo

Dec 07, 2022
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'Hidden debts' accomplices jailed, including Guebuza son
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Good afternoon. It has been a momentous day in Mozambique, with the son of former president Armando Guebuza condemned to 12 years in prison for his part in the corrupt $2bn offshore security deals, along with the then head of the secret services, and others either connected to the secret services, or to the Guebuza regime.

The former president has not faced justice for what was presumably his major role in getting the deals done; nor has the current president, for his involvement as defence minister at the time. It is a moot point as to whether Nyusi ought to be punished for going along with the scheme; but it is impossible not to see the outcome of this trial as part of a political game and a power struggle within Frelimo which will continue to play out over the next year or two.

If Nyusi gets his way and manages to run for election an unprecedented third time — something Guebuza also tried and failed to do — he could face a unified opposition taking inspiration from Angola. The leaders of Renamo and the MDM met in Maputo this morning, committing to work together to topple Frelimo; and the next most significant party, Nova Democracia, is also making positive sounds about joining a possible coalition.

MDM leader Lutero Simango and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade meeting in Maputo today. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News

Beyond the shared language and colonial history, contemporary parallels with Angola are striking, with a former defence minister becoming president, and then fighting his predecessor and family with corruption allegations. But João Lourenço was running for only his second term in office. Nyusi would presumably be handicapped by additional unpopularity from having bent the constitution to be allowed a third term; the opposition would be able to campaign on a platform of saving democracy from a dictator who could go on and on.


The latest from Zitamar News:

Hidden debts: Maputo court sentences 11 defendants to between 10 and 12 years
Eleven of the 19 defendants in the so-called hidden debt case, including the son of former president Armando Guebuza, were sentenced today to between 10 and 12 years in prison

Cabo Ligado Weekly: 28 November-4 December 2022

Twitter avatar for @ACLEDINFO
Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project @ACLEDINFO
Government and SAMIM forces sustained heavy losses amid continued insurgent attacks in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province last week. Details in our latest #CaboLigado update with @ZitamarNews and MediaFax: bit.ly/3VGemX8
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7:15 AM ∙ Dec 7, 2022
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Also in the news:

  • Nova Democracia, MDM open to opposition coalition

  • Government committed to privatise insurance company Emose, among others

  • Health minister calls for doctors to end strike

  • Voter registration next year could be delayed

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News

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