Mozambique 26 May 2017: Soul-searching in Frelimo
Good afternoon. There has been much agitation in the ranks of ruling party Frelimo this week after Alberto Vaquina, a former Prime Minister and current member of the Political Commission, gave an interview to opposition-leaning weekly newspaper Canal de Moçambique. The interview itself was bland enough, but the very fact that he was talking openly to ‘the enemy’ is leading many people to read much more into it - including seeing it as a challenge to Filipe Nyusi’s authority.
Today, Frelimo’s 200-strong Central Committee of Mozambique’s began a two-day meeting in Maputo, and - if this morning’s opening speeches are anything to go by - is undertaking some serious self-examination.
READ: Top Frelimo veteran laments dearth of ideas in ‘electoral machine’
There was an electoral win this week for Frelimo politician Agostinho Vuma who was elected President of business lobby group the CTA, after a controversial selection process which has nevertheless been hailed as the first truly democratic one in the organisation’s history.
READ: New head for Mozambican private sector business association
Last Friday’s speech by South Africa’s energy minister, putting a gas pipeline from northern Mozambique high on her country’s agenda, was given short shrift this week by industry experts speaking to Zitamar News. “I guarantee a pipeline will never be built,” one said.
READ: Industry experts dismiss prospects for Mozambique-SA pipeline
Another project that now looks in doubt is the Ncondezi coal-fired power project in Tete. High hopes a year ago that a major Chinese utility would take the project forward have faded, and the London-listed company is now looking for a new partner to take their place.
SEE: Ncondezi seeks new partners as Shanghai Electric goes cold on Tete power project
Finally, confirmation that the drought is over in Mozambique with the price of staple foods dropping - though they remain well above their five-year average.
READ: Rains and peace ease Mozambique hunger
Have a great weekend.