Mozambique 11 Nov: News from the north

Good afternoon. While Maputo stopped on Thursday to celebrate the 129th anniversary of the city, our news these past two days came from further north in the country.

First came reports of a new Renamo attack on a train on the line to Nacala, near the town of Cuamba in Niassa. The attack seems to have been economic sabotage, with little physical damage done - but likely to have a further chilling effect on Mozambique’s investment climate.

SEE: Renamo blamed for new attack on Mozambique’s Nacala rail line

Over in Tete province, a Chinese-led project to start industrial gold mining looks set to go ahead in December, despite local dissatisfaction at the lack of consultation and fears of inadequate compensation for artisanal miners there.

SEE: Chinese gold miner to start in Tete in December, despite local disputes

Another Chinese-Mozambican joint venture is in hot water across the border in Malawi, where they are accused of illegal logging in a national park. The case will be heard in the High Court in Blantyre next week.

FREE TO READ: Mozambican-Chinese operation caught logging in Malawi national park

In Zimbabwe, meanwhile, there are plans afoot to push more of the country’s fuel imports through the pipeline from Beira to Mutare.

SEE: Zimbabwe could limit fuel imports by road to push traffic onto Beira pipeline

Have a great weekend.

RECENT POSTS

• Mozambican-Chinese operation caught logging in Malawi national park

• Zimbabwe could limit fuel imports by road to push traffic onto Beira pipeline

• Chinese gold miner to start in Tete in December, despite local disputes

• Renamo blamed for new attack on Mozambique’s Nacala rail line

• Mozambique creditors say no negotiations until debt audit is made public