Mozambique 3 August: Opening new fronts
Good afternoon. Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama has given an interview to weekly newspaper Canal de Moçambique, claiming responsibility for attacks over the weekend in Zambézia and Niassa provinces – describing the latter as a tactic to open up a new front in the resurgent civil war. More highlights from the interview are in our article today.
SEE: Renamo is opening new fronts in Mozambique conflict, Dhlakama says
The interview was conducted on Sunday, before a fresh attack in the district of Moatize - near Vale's coal mining operation - which also looks like the work of Renamo.
SEE: Moatize police station attacked following weekend of violence
Two deals are currently underway to alter the ownership of the logistics corridor that takes Vale's coal to Nacala. Transport minister Carlos Mesquita told reporters in Maputo on Monday that state rail and port company CFM had sold its shares, without saying who bought them – but the most likely candidate told Zitamar that “negotiations are still taking place”.
SEE: Mozambique state railway company sells stake in Nacala corridor
When more details emerge on that deal, it could give an indication of the revised terms of Vale’s sale of a larger stake in the logistics project and the Moatize mines to Japan’s Mitsui. As Vale released its latest financial results this week, senior executives also gave hints on how that complicated deal is progressing.
SEE: Vale sees $3 billion Mozambique coal deal by end 2016
Sasol also trucks its liquids exports to the port of Beira, meaning the company is not immune to Renamo activity complicating its logistics. The company is now looking into an offshore alternative to sending its oil by road.
SEE: Sasol planning offshore export terminal for Mozambique oil project
Have a great rest of the week.