Death Toll Climbs in Mozambique Shipwreck

The death toll from a shipwreck that occurred on Sunday off the coast of Mozambique has risen to 94. The overloaded boat, which was not designed to carry passengers, was transporting families between Lunga and Ilha de Moçambique.

Three additional bodies were recovered early on Monday morning. Local authorities are still searching for survivors, but the exact number remains unclear.

"We know there were 130 people on board," said Silvério Nauaito, administrator of the Island of Mozambique. "Sadly, 94 have lost their lives. Around 11 are receiving treatment at medical facilities, and a small number, possibly 3, have been rescued."

Search efforts will continue throughout the day to determine the final number of missing individuals.

Source: Radio Mozambique 

Impact of rains in the south of the country: CFM sustains loss of 65 million MT

The suspension of goods trains in Mozambique's southern zone results in losses of nine hundred thousand dollars, or 65 million meticais, due to the catastrophic impact of rain. Emídio Bata, Southern Executive Director of the Company CFM, confirmed to TVM that passenger and freight trains on the Ressano Garcia, Limpopo, and Goba Lines have resumed circulation following emergency maintenance.

Maputo March 27: Bank of Mozambique reduces the monetary interest rate from 16.50 to 15.75 percent.

COMMUNIQUÉ No. 2/2024
MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE

The Banco de Moçambique Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to reduce the monetary policy rate, MIMO, from 16.50% to 15.75%. 

This decision is underpinned by the 
consolidation of prospects of single-digit inflation over the medium term, in a context where the assessment of the risks and uncertainties associated with inflation projections remain favorable.

Prospects of single-digit inflation remain unchanged over the medium term. 

In February 2024, annual inflation stood at 4.0%, foowing 4.2% in January. 
Core inflation, which excludes fruits and vegetables and administered prices also eased.

 Prospects for single-digit inflation 
remain unchanged in the medium term, mainly reflecting the stabiity of the Metical and the impact of the measures taken by the MPC.  

For the medium term, excluding liqufied natural gas (LNG), the prospects are for 
moderate economic growth.

 In the fourth quarter of 2023, gross domestic product (GDP) excluding LNG is estimated to have grown by 3.6%, following 3.3% in the previous quarter. 
Including LNG, GDP growth accelerated to 5.4%. in the medium term, excluding LNG production, economic activity is expected to continue to recover, despite uncertainties associated with the impact of climate shocks on agricultural production and various infrastructure.

Pressure on domestic public debt remains high. Domestic public debt, excluding loan and lease agreements and overdue liabilities, stands at 344.0 billion meticais, a 31.7 biion increase 
compared to December 2023.

The assessment of the risks and uncertainties associated with inflation projections remains favorable. 
Possibe factors restraining inflation in the medium term incude the fiscal consolidation efforts and a milder impact of geopolitical conflicts on the logistics supply chain and on commodity prices in the global market.

The MPC will continue with the process of normalizing the MIMO rate in the medium term. 

The pace and magnitude wil continue to depend on inflation prospects, as well as the assessment of the risks and uncertainties associated with medium term projections.

The next regular MPC meeting is scheduled for May 29, 2024

COMMUNIQUÉ No. 2/2024
Maputo, March 27, 2024
Policy rate reduced to 15.75%

Rogério Lucas Zandamela 
Governor

Source Banco de Moçambique.

Warning: Rainfall in the country's southern area is expected to continue.

A cold frontal system that passes over the country's southern region is expected to bring on more rain, according to the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM).

Forecasts indicate that rain will continue for the next 12 to 24 hours, according to meteorologist Telmo Sumila.

Nevertheless beginning from Tuesday, the southern part of the nation should have better weather, according to INAM.

The province and city of Maputo have seen rainfall totaling about 150 millimetres in the past 24 hours, which is regarded as a significant quantity given the soil's absorption capabilities in this region of the nation.

Four suspects apprehended by SERNIC for their involvement in the kidnapping of a businessman in Maputo

This Monday in Maputo, the Criminal Investigation Service announced the arrest of four suspects in the kidnapping on September 27. 

A businessman who was at his location in the heart of the city is the victim of the kidnapping. 

SERNIC additionally aims to free the victim from captivity and establish the truth about the incident.

Authorities dismantle clandestine iPhone factory in Maputo City

Denounciation by a citizen  led to the discovery and dismantling of an iPHONE "mobile phone factory" in Maputo, Mozambique.

The factory was run from a private apartment by two Chinese nationals.

According to Gimo Jone, the head of Customs in Maputo, mobile phones were launched into the national market without a license from the National Institute of Communications of Mozambique (INCM).

Actually, this is a factory; it's an apartment, but it functions like a factory. Mobile phones are assembled here for sale in the Alto-Maè area.

All of these mobile phones were brought into the country without the INCM license, let alone the customs declaration. As a result, it is smuggling in addition to  the other crime as there is no legal paperwork for the importation and placement of mobile phones on the market," he added.

More than a thousand iPHONE mobile phones and different materials used to counterfeit IMEIs, or mobile phone identification numbers, were seized as a part of the three-week investigation.

The factory's owners are of Chinese origin and, when confronted, refute the allegations:

– Do you confirm that you posses all the necessary documents?

– Yes, I have everything, and we have already confirmed that t. So what they is wrong and illegal .

– You operated as a factory. Where are your documents?

– We have everything and they seized all. I'm very angry, I won't say anything else - stated one of the proprieteries of the "factory".

All that was impounded, according to the Mozambican Customs, will be submitted to the Attorney General's Office for subsequent actions, while the two alleged counterfeiters face the legal consequences.

The multisectoral team that dismantled the factory was made up of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique, the National Criminal Investigation Service, the National Institute of Communications of Mozambique, the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities and Customs of Mozambique.

Communities and managers from Açucareira de Xinavane meet to discuss potential remedies for suspected land usurpation.

This Wednesday, managers of Açucareira de Xinavane and representatives of the nearby villages will meet in Maputo province to discuss ways to address the business' alleged land usurpation.

The Chief Executive of the Province shall mediate discussions between the community and the owner of the sugar production enterprise.

Aida Suleimane, the provincial director of Maputo's Territorial Development and Environment and a member of the mediation team, says she anticipates agreement.

"We began a project earlier that involved sensitizing the parties to look for new regions. Our goal is to meet the requirements of our population while also supporting the business so that it can continue to operate and provide jobs for the nearby areas, according to him. (RM)

DP world to increase investments in Mozambique

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, today, DP World, a shareholder in the consortium that runs the Port of Maputo and manager of the container terminal of this facility, informed the President of the Republic of its decision to increase its investments in the nation. It plans to explore the Port of Nacala in addition to investing an additional $300 million in the Port of Maputo.

DP World Maputo

In 2006 DP World acquired P&O and in 2008 MIPS was renamed to DP World Maputo. DP World Maputo has the concession to manage, develop and operate the Maputo container terminal until 2043.

The Maputo Container Terminal in the Port of Maputo is strategically located between industrial areas of Southern Africa and major economic and industrialized regions of Eastern and Southern Asia.

Bad weather predicted for Maputo,Gaza, and Inhambane.

In the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, and Inhambane, the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) forecasts the occurrence of moderate to heavy rains, accompanied by thunderstorms and winds with local gusts, commencing on Saturday.

The districts of Matutne, Namaacha, Boane, Moamba, Magude, and the cities of Maputo and Matola may be particularly affected in the Maputo province by this phenomena.

The districts of Massingir, Mabalane, Xigubo, and Chicualacuala in Gaza province would be most hit by the torrential downpours.

In Inhambane, the districts of Massinga, Vilankulo, and Funhalouro are expected to see bad weather.

In view of the likelihood of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and related phenomena, INAM urges implementing preventative and safety precautions. (RM)

Drug gang taken down in Maputo city

Six people have just been detained by the PRM, the police force of the Republic of Mozambique, on suspicion of being the proprietors of more than 800 kilograms of methamphetamine that were found a few days ago in the Sofala province's Gorongosa region.

Fifty kilograms of the narcotic were discovered in the group's possession, which included a Mozambican, Tanzanian, and Nigerian citizens.

The suspects were apprehended in the city of Maputo when they were attempting to transfer methamphetamine to South Africa, according to Lurdes Cuchama, a spokesman for the National Investigation Service (SEERNIC) in Sofala province.

The six suspects have joined to the three others who were detained in Gorongosa district last week during the recovery of 800 kilograms of the narcotic. (RM)

Japan donates ambulances to Mozambique

Photo: Twitter / @The Japanese government on Friday donated three ambulance to Mozambique aimed at improving provision of emergency health care in the northern provinces of Niassa, Nampula and Cabo Delgado.

The donation is part of the project to strengthen integrated services of sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence for displaced girls and women, as well as host communities.

Speaking during the ceremony, Health Minister Armindo Tiago said that Japan is a key and long-standing development partner of the Mozambican government, highly committed in supporting programmes that seek the social well-being of the Mozambican people.

According to Tiago, the health sector is among those that have benefited from Japan’s support, and this Friday’s donation is a clear indication.

“We are talking about the donation of vehicles to three provinces in the north of the country, affected by terrorism, which will contribute not only for the expansion and supply of vital sexual and reproductive health services, but also to respond to gender-based violence,” he explained.

Tiago recalled that lately the country has been ravaged by calamities and disasters, including cyclones, tropical storms and floods, terrorist attacks and the Covid-19 pandemic.

All these factors, the minister added, “force us to adapt our interventions to provide assistance to the populations that are often displaced, increasing demand in places not previously foreseen and also reducing our assistance capability in those areas affected by insecurity and destruction of infrastructures”.

He assured that the government will continue to work with its partners to ensure coverage of the needs in terms of ambulances for effective operation of referral and counter-referral of patients.

For his part, the Japanese ambassador Kimura Hajime said that his country has been working with the Mozambican government to mitigate the suffering of the people.

Therefore, he believes that the ambulances donated today will improve services rendered the displaced people in the northern part of the country.

“We are convinced that, with these vehicles, we are minimising the suffering of the close to a million displaced people, guaranteeing better and timely medical care”, he explained.

He announced that another 28 new ambulances are in the process of being imported, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Source: AIM

Government wants to ensure proper ordering and management of artisanal fisheries and aquaculture in the country.

To that end, the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries launched, last Friday, in Maputo, the Census that will allow the collection of data on artisanal fisheries and aquaculture, and also contribute to the development of the national economy.

The Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Lídia Cardoso, said that the Census will also provide information on the number of fishermen in the country, the number of vessels in use, as well as the number and type of fishing gear. used. (RM)

Mozambique wants to increase electricity production capacity

By next year, Mozambique will increase its capacity for domestic production of electricity and supply to South Africa.

The initiative aims, in part, to respond to the energy crisis in that neighboring country.

 This could result in the installation of a thermal power station in the Beluluane Industrial Park, in the district of Boane, with a production capacity of two thousand megawatts, equivalent to the capacity of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Power Plant.   

The infrastructure, valued at US$2.8 billion, will comprise a gasification plant, to be installed in the port of Matola, with a pipeline for transporting gas to neighboring South Africa and a branch to the Beluluane Thermal Power Plant. .

The director general of MozParks, Honório Boane explains that with the Beluluane power station, the conditions will be created for the development of the second phase of the project to expand the Industrial Park and the consequent attraction of more industrial investments to the country. (RM)

At risk. Communities in riverside areas of the Maputo, Umbelúzi and Incomati rivers

   Radio Mozambique

 National Directorate for Water Resources Management warns communities residing in the riverside areas of the Maputo, Umbelúzi and Incomáti rivers, for the risk of flooding or floods, starting next October.

The alert follows the high level of water stored in the main water retention infrastructure in Maputo province as well as in upstream countries, namely South Africa and Eswatini.

The head of the Department of Hydrographic Basins, Agostinho Vilanculos, said that at the moment, the Pequenos Libombos and Corrumana dams have levels of up to eighty percent of water intake, a fact that could dictate runoff in the upcoming rainy season.

"This period is a little worrying because we have to take some measures in the next few days, depending on what will be the evolution, at least in the first fifteen days of October, which officially starts the rainy season", he said.

The head of the Department of Hydrographic Basins appeals to the communities residing on the banks of the Maputo, Umbelúzi and Incomáti rivers to take precautionary measures, given the risk associated with the approaching rainy season. (RM) Source: Radio Mozambique

Mozambique: Police must reinvent itself to fight terrorism – President Nyusi

Mozambique: Police must reinvent itself to fight terrorism – President Nyusi Mozambican President Filipe on Monday (19) called on the Police force (PRM) to reinvent itself and repel any threats to public order and security, including terrorism attacks currently plaguing the residents of Cabo Delgado province, in the northern regof the country.

 Nyusi, who is also Commander-in-Chief of Forças de Defesa e Segurança (FDS), said that the mission of the police force also includes defence of the homeland, sovereignty and natural resources available in the country, as well as all achievements made with sacrifice and work of Mozambicans.

 He left the challenge during the closing ceremony of the 42nd PRM Basic course, at the Matalana Police Training School.

 In his view, the entry of a growing number of trained police officers Mozambicans into the ranks of the FDS is an important contribution by the Mozambican people to strengthen human capacity, allowing for wider coverage in the surveillance, vigilance and defence of country’s integrity. 

 “Therefore, we recommend the Police Force to reinvents itself so that, together with other defence and security forces on the ground intensify actions to repel any threats to public order and security, as well as build capacity to anticipate and contain any phenomena that could disturb the tranquillity of Mozambicans,” he said.

 The President also mentioned other threats facing the country, particularly money laundering and financing terrorism, and urged all justice stakeholders, including PRM and the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), to develop internal and external coordination mechanisms to combat this crime, which poses a major threat to the country and to the world in general. “This implies specialised training, increased capacity for investigation and analysis and responsibility for action,” he stressed. 

 Addressing the new graduates, Nyusi warned that the Oath of the Flag is not a mere procedure or a mere formality, but an act that carries in itself important significance of symbolism and a high sense of responsibility. “With the oath taken, each one of you has committed to respect and defend our multicoloured national flag and, above all, other values the honour and territorial integrity of the Mozambican nation and safeguard the sovereignty of the State regardless of the sacrifice that you may be required to,” he pointed out.

 He added that the life of a police officer finds its true meaning in the consent of individual sacrifices for the fulfilment of a set of patriotic duties for common good of Mozambicans and all. “Young men, to be a police officer is to accept to always serve national interests, to serve the Homeland and to be ready to exchange one’s life for it, if necessary,” he stressed. 

 Nyusi also reminded the new graduates that when performing their duties they should distance themselves from any criminal practices because they are contrary to their office as well as denounce, combat and repel all criminal actions to eradicate this evil from society, including the police force.

Mozambique: Portugal’s PM announces 40% increase in cooperation prog.

Photo: Notícias

Portugal’s prime minister, António Costa, announced on Thursday a 40% increase in the funds allocated to projects under the Strategic Cooperation Programme with Mozambique, representing more than €90 million.

“Within the scope of this summit, we can reinforce the amount of the next Strategic Cooperation Programme [PEC] 2022-2026, which is the foundation of our strategic partnership between Mozambique and Portugal and will thus have a 40% increase in the funds dedicated to programmes, projects and actions, which will exceed €90 million,” he announced.

Costa made this announcement in Maputo at a press conference at the end of a meeting with the president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, as part of the 5th Luso-Moçambican Summit.

The PEC, signed in November 2021, is for five years. Costa said it “will focus on traditional areas of sovereignty, such as defence, justice, internal administration,” and “deepens and renews cooperation in the strategic areas of education and health.

Photo: Notícias

Indicating that until 2021 the PEC “spent €135 million”, Costa added that the new framework foresees “€185 million”.

Considering that the future “necessarily involves strengthening economic relations,” Costa also said that as part of the 5th Luso-Moçambican Summit, “two instruments to support business investment in Mozambique, the business fund for cooperation and the specific programme for business investment in Mozambique,” would be reviewed and modernised.

Costa added that, on the sidelines of the summit, the “Lusophone Compact” would be signed, a programme through which Portugal will provide guarantees of €400 million in funding from the African Development Bank for business investment in the community of Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP).

The Portuguese prime minister also noted two other protocols that would be signed on Friday and that “aim to strengthen the development potential of the Cabo Delgado region,” with the installation of “a research centre dedicated to gas and oil and a vocational training programme in the area of gas, which will be aimed at around 1,200 young Mozambicans.

Mozambique: Portugal’s PM announces 40% increase in cooperation prog. – Watch

11:42 CAT | 02 Sep 2022

0 Comments Print Share

Photo: Notícias

Portugal’s prime minister, António Costa, announced on Thursday a 40% increase in the funds allocated to projects under the Strategic Cooperation Programme with Mozambique, representing more than €90 million.

“Within the scope of this summit, we can reinforce the amount of the next Strategic Cooperation Programme [PEC] 2022-2026, which is the foundation of our strategic partnership between Mozambique and Portugal and will thus have a 40% increase in the funds dedicated to programmes, projects and actions, which will exceed €90 million,” he announced.

Costa made this announcement in Maputo at a press conference at the end of a meeting with the president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, as part of the 5th Luso-Moçambican Summit.

The PEC, signed in November 2021, is for five years. Costa said it “will focus on traditional areas of sovereignty, such as defence, justice, internal administration,” and “deepens and renews cooperation in the strategic areas of education and health.

Photo: Notícias

Indicating that until 2021 the PEC “spent €135 million”, Costa added that the new framework foresees “€185 million”.

Considering that the future “necessarily involves strengthening economic relations,” Costa also said that as part of the 5th Luso-Moçambican Summit, “two instruments to support business investment in Mozambique, the business fund for cooperation and the specific programme for business investment in Mozambique,” would be reviewed and modernised.

Costa added that, on the sidelines of the summit, the “Lusophone Compact” would be signed, a programme through which Portugal will provide guarantees of €400 million in funding from the African Development Bank for business investment in the community of Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP).

The Portuguese prime minister also noted two other protocols that would be signed on Friday and that “aim to strengthen the development potential of the Cabo Delgado region,” with the installation of “a research centre dedicated to gas and oil and a vocational training programme in the area of gas, which will be aimed at around 1,200 young Mozambicans.

Photo: Domingo

“We are fighting terrorism not only from a military and humanitarian point of view but also from the point of view of the region’s development,” he noted.

Costa considered that Mozambique “has enormous potential from an agricultural point of view”.

“And if humanity faces a huge challenge in its energy transition, it faces no less of a challenge from the point of view of food security, and so diversification, increase and quality of food is an ever greater challenge and where Mozambique has a decisive role,” he told reporters.

The governments of Portugal and Mozambique signed six cooperation protocols on Thursday as part of the 5th Luso-Moçambican Summit in education, heritage rehabilitation, technical and operational skills of the Mozambican security forces and services, justice and agriculture.

“On all fronts, from the point of view of political cooperation, military cooperation in the fight against terrorism, development in the area of health or education, or from the point of view of economic relations, this 5th summit will certainly be a significant milestone in our relations,” Costa said.

Drawing a picture of the situation in Mozambique compared to the last summit in 2019, the prime minister said that the country “has a new framework, frankly favourable to investment,” particularly by Portuguese companies, with the resumption of financial support from the International Monetary Fund after the hidden debts’ scandal) and the retreat of terrorism

Mozambique: Police fire tear gas to disperse fish market vendors in Maputo – Miramar

The vendors of Mercado do Peixe, in the city of Maputo, managed to carry out, this morning, a march to the old fish market, in protest against the lack of compensation for the transfer to the new fish market.

The march that even started in an orderly manner and with the right to a police escort ended in tear gas, Miramar reports.

Wielding signs and posters, vendors who recently heard Maputo mayor Eneas Comiche say that there is no room for compensation, when they arrived at the old market, came across construction works on an imposing building and demanded a meeting with the person in charge for the works.

“Only in ten days”, replied one of the staff members at the works. The answer infuriated the sellers who then prevented the entry of trucks that intended to unload material at the site. This left room for turmoil.

The police immediately launched tear gas to disperse the vendors, a situation that caused a widespread flight of vendors.

As far as the Miramar reporting team found, apparently no one was injured.

When the police stopped the release of the gas, the vendors returned and insisted on the idea of talking to the owner of the property that is being built.

Source: Miramar

PR participates in the virtual week of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly

 The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, participates, from September 21 to October 2, in the high-level virtual week of the 75th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, under the motto “The future we want, the United Nations we need - reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism ”.

At the meeting, the Head of State will contribute to the general debate with an intervention, from Maputo, scheduled for 23 September, where he will transmit a message that highlights the commitment to “celebrate the 75 years of the United Nations, making it the most relevant to the challenges of peace and security, combating COVID-19 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, taking into account the 45 years of national independence and cooperation between the Republic of Mozambique and the United Nations ”.

According to a statement from the Presidency of the Republic, sent to “the Moza Eye”, during the virtual week, Filipe Nyusi will also participate in the high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations; Biodiversity Summit; high-level virtual meeting on financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Era and post-COVID-19.

The note also indicates that the Head of State will participate in the high-level meeting of the 25th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women and in the high-level meeting for the celebration and promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Nyusi will also participate in the parallel meeting entitled “High Level Virtual Roundtable promoted by the US Chamber of Commerce and the US Africa Business Center”, as well as in bilateral bilateral meetings, the statement we have been quoting refers to.

The delegation of President Nyusi is made up of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Verónica Macamo; Industry and Commerce, Carlos Mesquita; Gender, Children and Social Action, Nyeleti Mondlane and Land and Environment, Ivete Maibasse.

The Governor of the Bank of Mozambique, Rogério Zandamela, also accompanies the Head of State; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mozambique to the United Nations, Pedro Comissário; Mozambican ambassador to Washington (USA), Carlos dos Santos; cadres of the Presidency of the Republic and other State institutions.

 

See Maputo

Maputo Train Station among the nine most beautiful in the world

Erected just over a century ago, the central station of the Mozambique Railways (CFM) in Maputo, was voted among the 10 most beautiful in the world by Finantial Express, international publication based in India.

According to the article published on Saturday, the architectural aspect is impressive, and "the season is a testament to the history of the country." The facade was designed by Gustave Eiffel. 

The article also highlights the two locomotives in the early twentieth century that are on display and the spaces of culture and leisure created inside, which gives it a very peculiar atmosphere, and where they organize thematic and temporary exhibitions of great jazz concerts.

The Mozambican station was included in a short list of which includes the stations of Antwerp and Liege (Belgium), London St. Pancras (England), New York Terminal (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Atocha, Madrid (Spain ), Kanazawa (Japan), and Flinders Street Station, Melbourne (Australia).

The station of CFM was built between 1913 and 1916 designed by the architects Alfredo Augusto Lisbon, Mario Veiga and Ferreira da Costa.

O pais