Mozambique 31 August: First steps on the Gas Master Plan
Good afternoon. Mozambique is taking the next step in implementing its ‘Gas Master Plan’ to fast-track industrial development using gas discovered in the Rovuma Basin. There are still no details on exactly how much gas will be made available, but the plans do not lack ambition.
SEE: Mozambique launches domestic gas projects tender
As Zitamar reported last Monday, IMF resident representative Alex Segura-Ubiergo has come to the end of his three-year posting in Mozambique. He gave a valedictory interview to Rádio Moçambique on Monday which has led to some contradictory headlines: while the state broadcaster said the Fund was “satisfied with Mozambique’s implementation of the IMF’s recommendations”, Bloomberg emphasised that it still wants Mozambique to move ahead with an independent, international audit of the debts contracted by ProIndicus, EMATUM, and MAM.
Rádio Moçambique reported that the government is, in fact, “contracting international experts or specialised companies, with a view to realising an international audit of Mozambique’s public debt.” Whether such an audit will be independent, however, remains unanswered.
The latest Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit concludes in Mbabane, Swaziland today, with Mozambique handing over its presidency of the Troika on defence co-operation. Meanwhile, US-based NGO Human Rights Watch has expressed increasing concern that Mozambique’s security situation is spiralling out of control - and called on the SADC to intervene.
SEE: Human Rights Watch calls for SADC intervention in Mozambique conflict
Farmers across the region can cheer the latest long-range weather forecasts from a meeting of climate experts in Harare last week, which brought good news for those hit by the drought. For Mozambique, the forecast is for a reversal of the (so-called) rainy season of 2015-16, which is good news for north and south alike.
SEE: Climate experts forecast rain for drought-hit southern Africa
And in more news from Harare, the Zimbabwe government says it will soon upgrade a key road linking it with Mozambique.
SEE: Zimbabwe to upgrade major road to Mozambique
Have a great week.