'Hidden debts' accomplices jailed, including Guebuza son
Ndambi Guebuza and others return to jail, as opposition leaders meet to discuss toppling Frelimo
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.
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
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
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