Mozambique 8 Feb 2017: If you’re going to break the law, at least do it in Portuguese

Good afternoon. Mozambique’s Administrative Court, which rules on the legality of the government’s actions, has said in its latest report on the budget that the sovereign guarantees for MAM and ProIndicus were illegal. It’s another, weighty voice supporting that view - and has even found another way in which the ProIndicus financing, in particular, violated the law, that had not previously been pointed out.

SEE: Mozambique state court deems ProIndicus and MAM guarantees illegal

Last Friday, President Nyusi took the opportunity of Mozambican Heroes’ Day to announce a new phase in Mozambique’s peace process, which has been broadly welcomed by commentators as a positive sign.

FREE TO READ: Mozambican president announces end to mediated dialogue

It involves the formation of two working groups to take on two points from the agenda of the last phase - that is, political decentralisation, and ‘military issues’ - namely the de-partizanisation (that is, de-Frelimization) of the armed forces, and the integration of Renamo’s residual armed personnel.

SEE: Nyusi and Dhlakama appoint new negotiators in Mozambique peace process

The ‘Pacific Beryl’ fuel tanker has been making its way up the Mozambican coast, replenishing fuel stocks as it goes. Maputo and Matola were the first to be supplied, followed by Beira whence the inland cities of Chimoio and Tete were restocked. Nacala was due to receive fuel yesterday, 7 February, to supply the north; sources tell us that Pemba is still short of petrol as this newsletter goes to press.

SEE: Fuel shortages in central and northern Mozambique ‘should end this week’

The Mozambique-South African joint venture that owns the pipeline taking Sasol’s Mozambican gas to South Africa will find out later this month if it is allowed to charge its South African customers more, to compensate for recent investments.

SEE: SA regulator to rule on Mozambique gas pipeline tariff this month

And finally, as a two-year drought comes to an end, Mozambique’s beleaguered farmers could face another serious threat in the form of a pest from South America which is already destroying crops in neighbouring countries.

SEE: ‘Armyworm’ pest threatens Mozambique crops after Zambia infestation

Have a great week.
 

RECENT POSTS

• Mozambique state court deems ProIndicus and MAM guarantees illegal

• Nyusi and Dhlakama appoint new negotiators in Mozambique peace process

• SA regulator to rule on Mozambique gas pipeline tariff this month

• Fuel shortages in central and northern Mozambique ‘should end this week’

• ‘Armyworm’ pest threatens Mozambique crops after Zambia infestation