Mozambique 10 May 2017: Playing a waiting game

Good afternoon. Today we analyse Afonso Dhlakama’s new waiting game, having said last week that nominating provincial governors ahead of the next general elections is no longer a priority. According to political analysts in Maputo, amending the constitution could provide an opportunity to curb the powers of the President of the Republic, and improve Mozambique’s democracy.

SEE: Renamo’s delayed gratification should strengthen democracy in Mozambique  

Mozambique’s laws may be due for a revision in the gas sector, too, despite the latest Petroleum Law having only been introduced in 2014. Some of its regulations are holding up progress in agreeing concession contracts for the blocks awarded in the fifth round in 2015..

SEE: Mozambique may need to rewrite new oil regime before companies start exploration

Mozambique’s ministry of land and environment has recently won plaudits for its hard line on illegal logging, which may be one reason the loggers are moving across its borders. Malawi’s courts have jailed a group of Mozambicans and Chinese caught logging in a national park - and there are calls for greater co-operation between the two countries to stamp out the activity.

FREE TO READ: Malawi jails Mozambicans over illegal cross-border logging – with more cases suspected

Mozambique’s much-anticipated graphite boom may be getting underway, with the reactivation of a mine and processing facility in Ancuabe, Cabo Delgado. That project should soon be dwarfed by other much larger ones in the area, cashing in on what the companies hope will be increased demand driven by technological change.

SEE: Mozambique’s first graphite mine to restart operations this month

And finally, there is optimism in Zimbabwe that the import route from Mozambique’s Beira port is going to see more traffic soon. To prepare for that, a ‘dry port’ logistics terminal in the border city of Mutare is being upgraded.

SEE: Mutare Dry Port sees $950k investment to cash in on increased Beira trade

Have a great week.
 

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• Renamo’s delayed gratification should strengthen democracy in Mozambique  

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• Malawi jails Mozambicans over illegal cross-border logging – with more cases suspected