Zitamar Daily: Running into the sand

President Nyusi in Inhambane for beach soccer tournament, with Cabo Delgado weighing on his mind

President Nyusi is enjoying life in Inhambane today, presiding over the opening of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations before attending a meeting of the Frelimo Central Committee. But yesterday’s attack on a ruby mine in Cabo Delgado is more than a fly in the ointment — and is overshadowing impending good news about Mozambique’s first LNG exports. Nyusi’s government desperately wants the onshore LNG projects to go ahead, too — but continuing violence in Cabo Delgado, particularly if aimed at foreign investments, keeps pushing that horizon back.

Have a great weekend.

Agenda:

• Today: President Nyusi in Inhambane

  • Attending extraordinary meeting of the newly elected Frelimo Central Committee

  • Attending African beach football championship in Vilanculos, as Mozambique faces Malawi

• Today: Financial Action Task Force due to announce decision on whether Mozambique is ‘grey listed’ (see here)

• 19-29 October: Tanzania People's Defence Force holds field exercises in the southeastern regions of Lindi and Mtwara, involving warplanes, helicopters, medium and short range missiles, anti-aircraft guns and other weapons

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The latest from Zitamar News:

Insurgent violence brings Montepuez ruby mining to a halt
An insurgent attack yesterday has put lucrative ruby mining on pause in Cabo Delgado, and could hit investor confidence in the longer term

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Also in the news:

• Mozambique and Rwanda lift visa requirements (AIM)

• First LNG cargo to head to Europe; Total project to resume next year (Reuters)

• LNG will account for just 0.3% of government revenue next year (Lusa)

• Government suspends activities of the ‘Igreja Velha Apostólica’ in Mozambique (Notícias)

• Mozambique files latest appeal in Manuel Chang extradition case (Mail & Guardian)

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News