Sasol's secret sale; Freddy makes landfall
Sasol's secret sale; Freddy makes landfall
And: A year after the conflict started, Mozambique's neutrality on Russia-Ukraine is becoming harder to maintain
Good afternoon. Today we mark the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with a Leader article written by our Editor At Large, Fernando Lima — who was honoured last night at Mozambique’s inaugural Media Club Gala for his contribution as one of the founders of independent media in Mozambique, more than 30 years ago. Congratulations, Fernando!
Before that, a postscript to yesterday’s leader: a closer reading of the text of Frelimo’s Sergio Pantie’s speech to parliament, which we obtained today, reveals he did not quite say that Frelimo expects to introduce a constitutional amendment, as we wrote. Nevertheless, his form of words (below) makes it pretty clear that that is the direction of travel. Watch this space.
On the eve of today’s anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mozambique again abstained at a vote at the United Nations General Assembly calling for an end to the war.
Angola also abstained this time, evidence that the last-minute visit paid by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to Luanda was more effective than the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s visit to Maputo. Botswana voted again with the US and its European partners, as did Rwanda, while Eswatini and Tanzania decided to walk out the plenary session before the vote took place.
Mozambique’s neutrality on the conflict is a sensitive issue. A situation in which one UN member invades another, is a clear violation of the UN charter. Mozambique is a historical ally of Russia, but it also has very strong ties with the United States and the European Union. Mozambique is also, for this year and next, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, meaning its diplomats will be confronted with very sensitive votes.
While acknowledging Mozambique’s right to neutrality, European and American diplomats have on several occasions expressed their disappointment in Maputo’s diplomatic stance, though there has been no visible retaliation for it.
But its position on the Security Council will probably place Mozambique in a much harder position. The country has benefited from significant support from the US and EU in the war effort in Cabo Delgado, and a financial bonanza from them and the World Bank in sponsoring development programs.
And, as several countries have quietly pointed out to Mozambican diplomats, Mozambique had experienced terrible conflicts since its independence in 1975, and would like to be able to count on the international community were it ever to suffer an invasion or violation of its sovereignty.
Agenda:
The latest from Zitamar News:
Sasol sells down stake in Mozambique oil and gas exploration block
South African petrochemicals company Sasol sold more than half its stake in an offshore oil and gas exploration block in Mozambique last year, corporate records have revealed, in a deal which has not been publicly acknowledged by the Mozambican petroleum regulator
From the Zitamar Live Blog:
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The World Bank has approved a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which will see it "invest in fewer, larger, and transformational investments and emphasize the regional dimension of development," the World Bank announced today
🌀 Moderate tropical storm Freddy has been in Inhambane province since 2pm, moving southeast of Zimbabwe, and is progressively weakening
Also in the news:
Insurgents surrender in Mocímboa da Praia
Heavy rain interrupts railway line between Mozambique and Eswatini
Oil companies complain about fixed fuel prices
Mozambique and Malawi expect to resume rail transport this year
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