'Hidden debts' revenge

And: an ambassador almost says the unsayable about Frelimo

Corruption remains a big problem holding back Mozambique’s development, Germany’s ambassador said in an interview with Canal de Moçambique published today. The observation seems so obvious as to be banal; but perhaps it is a timely reminder. Even as Mozambique pursues foreign entities in the UK courts that it accuses of bringing corruption to Mozambique, the shocking video of Ahmad Adam Issá, father of a lawyer who testified in the ‘hidden debts’ trial in Maputo, is a reminder of the failings of the rule of law in Mozambique. Issá’s abduction seems to be revenge for his son’s testimony; although it helped put some people in jail, somebody somewhere is still obviously capable of orchestrating further crimes.

Ambassador Freischlader also makes a rare, albeit slightly veiled, recommendation that Frelimo will at some point need to give up power in order to allow Mozambique to move forward. He wouldn’t put it so bluntly — not if he doesn’t want to be expelled from the country — but his intention is clear. Could it be a sign that his country, and perhaps other European powers, are ready to start applying pressure on Mozambique’s democratic backsliding?

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Agenda:

• Today: Start of the pilot registration programme for municipal elections later this year

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The latest from Zitamar News:

Cabo Ligado Weekly: 23 -29 January 2023

• Insurgents move into Mueda and Meluco districts

• Reports of foreign IS fighters in Cabo Delgado, including Somalis, Kenyans and Pakistanis

• Tanzania to deploy elite police unit to support SAMIM operations

Report also available in Portuguese

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From the Zitamar Live Blog:

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Two new laws to govern how the media operates in Mozambique will be the first to be debated in the next session of the Mozambican parliament, due to start on 22 February.

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💥 Conflict updates:

31 January 2023: Iba, Meluco district, Cabo Delgado
Up to 15 members of the Local Forces were killed in a clash around Iba village in Meluco, several of whom may have been beheaded. Reports suggest around four insurgents were also killed. 

1 February 2023: Mbuyuni, Nangade district, Cabo Delgado
Insurgents arrived in Mbuyuni village to buy food supplies, assuring residents they did not come to kill. Similar cases have been reported in Meluco and Mocímboa da Praia in the past week.

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Also in the news:

• Father of ‘hidden debts’ lawyer kidnapped, begs for release

• TotalEnergies CEO to visit Mozambique this week

• Transport minister calls on LAM to cut ticket prices

• France donates logistical material to the Mozambican forces

• Mozambican transporters consider changing routes to South Africa

• Corruption is a key problem in Mozambique, says German ambassador

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