Mozambique: A conjunctivitis outbreak is impacting businesses' production.

Agostinho Vuma, head of Mozambique's Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA), said on Friday in Maputo that the conjunctivitis outbreak in numerous regions of the country is harming business productivity.

"The epidemic of conjunctivitis is harming labour productivity. Companies have started laying off affected employees who have been at home for more than 15 days, impacting corporate performance," Vuma said during the Labour Consultative Commission's first ordinary plenary session, which also includes the government.

According to recent reports from the ministry of health, there are now almost 17,000 Mozambicans afflicted with the adenovirus that causes hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, mostly in the provinces of Nampula and Sofala.

"As a part of society, businesses have an obligation to care for the families who ensure that there will be a market for the goods they create in addition to the workers, who are their most valuable resource. In keeping with this, we would like to express our solidarity with the public being affected by hemorrhagic conjunctivitis and urge everyone to come together and follow the health authorities' guidelines to prevent the disease from spreading and to safeguard everyone's health," Vuma appealed.

On March 11th, according to the official to recent ministry of health data, about 17,000 Mozambicans have been infected with the adenovirus that causes hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, with the majority living in the provinces of Nampula and Sofala.

Conjunctivitis was reported in at least seven Mozambican provinces, with Nampula in northern Mozambique accounting for the majority of occurrences. Meanwhile, on 19 March, the Beira Central Hospital in Sofala province, the country's largest health unit, had seen 2,800 instances of conjunctivitis. Agostinho Vuma also cautioned of Mozambique's "two-speed" economic growth, with positive performance focused in the extractive industry, which is "less than optimal considering the lost value to the economy due to the successive difficulties that have afflicted the business sector".

Many companies have declared bankruptcy as a result of their financial challenges. In this context, it's worth noting that Mozambique's Tax Authority announced a few days ago that 3,000 enterprises had been declared insolvent, with severe consequences for employability, income creation, and the state's ability to collect money," stated the CTA president.

In the same speech, Vuma requested that the draft bill on private security, which "the private sector has been advocating for nearly ten years," be discussed before the Labour Consultative Commission "later this year."

"Unfortunately, insecure job connections have been a defining feature of this industry, which boasts one of the highest employment rates. We think that this situation of insecure work relations might greatly improve with the passage of the law," he stated.

Additionally, he stated that it is important to "emphasise the merits of the document and the benefits" that it "can bring to the fluidity of urban transport" within the "framework of the proposal for the staggering of service timetables," which has been put up by the ministry of transport and communications.

But in order for it to become a reality, the proposer needs to make sure that it complies with the recommendations made by this body's expert technical subcommittees, particularly with reference to the Labour Law.

President Nyusi: Cabo Delgado's future is not sealed with the withdrawal of SADaC forces

The Republic's president, Filipe Nyusi, has stated that the struggle against terrorism in Cabo Delgado will continue despite the departure of SADC forces from the Northern Operational Theatre on July 15.

During his participation in the extraordinary summit of the troika of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the body for cooperation in the areas of politics, defence, and security, Filipe Nyusi drew attention to certain countries' expressed interest in forging bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism.
"Everything points to July 15th as a possible withdrawal date." In the meantime, we as a nation will continue to scale up our military efforts, and other countries have offered to collaborate with us on a bilateral basis."

The Mozambican politician emphasised that SADC, as a local alliance, is committed to assisting the country during times of need. 

Mozambique: US intends to support Cabo Delgado with extra $22 million

The US Government intends to make available US$22 million (€20.3 million) in new funds this year to support “stabilisation efforts” in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, the US Embassy in Maputo said .

In a statement on the conclusion of a visit from March 17 to 21 to Mozambique by the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Anne A. Witkowsky, notes that the provision of these funds still depends on approval in Congress.

“With this investment, the United States will have dedicated nearly $100 million in stability-focused assistance to northern Mozambique since 2022. This funding builds upon the broader development and humanitarian assistance provided by the United States throughout the country,” the statement reads.

“Mozambique’s progress toward sustainable peace is essential for the economic prosperity of all Mozambicans and for the security of the region,” said Deputy Secretary Witkowsky, quoted in the same statement.

“The United States is committed to supporting Mozambican partners to advance an integrated effort for peace and stability across Cabo Delgado and surrounding provinces – emphasizing civilian protection, access to justice, inclusive economic development, and transparent, democratic governance,” she added.

During her visit to Mozambique, the Assistant Secretary met with the Minister of Justice, Helena Kida, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manuel José Gonçalves, civil society leaders, journalists, representatives of the private sector, non-governmental organisations and other diplomatic partners “working for peace in northern Mozambique”.

The United States says that, in collaboration with local partners, it is mobilising diplomatic support, development assistance, and security sector engagement “to prevent violence, promote stability, and build resilience through locally led solutions in Cabo Delgado and neighbouring provinces”.

It adds that ongoing U.S. programs are providing training for local government officials to deliver services, supporting community radio, promoting social cohesion through peace clubs, sports, and the arts, and increasing educational and employment opportunities for youth, including through construction of the new secondary school in Pemba, capital of Cabo Delgado province.

The province of Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed insurgency for six years, with some attacks claimed by the extremist Islamic State group. After a period of relative calm in 2023, these attacks have multiplied this year, displacing around 100,000 people in February alone, and leaving a trail of destruction, death and scattered families.

European Union and Mozambique to continue cooperation on investment for development

The European Union (EU) said that it will continue to encourage European businesses to invest in various Mozambican developmental sectors.

The EU ambassador Antonino Maggiore expressed the pledge, Friday on the Island of Mozambique, at the end of the Sectoral Dialogue on Economy, Trade and Investment between Mozambique and the EU.

Antonino Maggiore said that the dialogue resulted in reinforced lessons on cooperation to increase interconnectivity in the business world.

On the occasion, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Silvino Moreno, said that Mozambique is open to receiving and developing investment projects from the EU and beyond.

On the sidelines of the Sectoral Dialogue on Economy, Trade and Investment between Mozambique and the European Union, a business and investment round table was held between the private sector of the two parties. (RM)

Gaza: Road accident claims two lives, sixteen injuries.

Gaza province.

Three fatalities and sixteen grave and minor injuries resulted from a road accident Friday morning, in the administrative post of Chidenguele, Mandlakazi district as a consequence of the he head on collision ,of two semi-collective passenger transport vehicles, which were traveling in the south-north direction and vice versa, on National Road number 1 (EN1).

The traffic police officer who went to the scene of the accident, cited overspeeding and fatigue on the part of the driver who was traveling Gaza-Inhambane, as the principal causes of this road accident which also resulted in damage to both vehicles.

 The injured were taken to the Chidenguele Health Center and Quissico District Hospital, in the Zavala district, Inhambane, where they are getting treatment. 

Mozambican sugar hits Malawian market

Mozambican makes its way to the Malawian market

 Mozambican manufactured sugar is being exported to Malawi, as a response to the sugar problem in that nation .

20 licenses to local firms to import sugar from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Brazil have been issued by Malawi's Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The liberalization of the sugar market in Malawi comes at a time when the two local companies producing this product have found their capacity reduced , due to a number of constraints imposed on their production chain as a result of climate change.

Malawi has been in a severe crisis as a result of sugar shortage on the national market .

Consumers revolted as a consequence of hoarding of sugar and subsequent prices' increases which became the trend, where a kilo soared from the old 1700 kwachas, around 64 meticais to 3,000 kwachas, around 115 meticais.

The government, through the ministry of industry and commerce, was forced to liberalize the market, as a way of increasing supply and reducing the price of the product to the consumer.

The monopolistic sugar companies of Malawi contestation of the measures taken, will not, according to commerce minister Sosten Gwengwe , not make the government to revoke its decision, to ensure greater commercial competitiveness.

As of writing, the Malawian government has ordered seven commercial establishments to close due to exbortintant sugar prices.

The executive director of the Malawi consumer association, John Kapito, says the government's decision is welcome and commendable, as the monopolization of the market was a real ordeal for the people. 

Mozambique: More than 3.3 million face famine.

Owing to drought and floods,  nearly 3.3 million people face food insecurity in Mozambique, according to Leonor Mondlane, the executive secretary of the Technical Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Security (SETSAN), .

 "Right now, we have a post-shock study from 2023, which estimated that around 2.3 million people are food insecure and projected, by March, 3.3 million", stated Mondlane, regarding the total number of the population currently in this situation.

Leonor Mondlane was giving a press briefing to  journalists, on the sidelines of the food systems panel, an online platform that c

puts toger data from various institutions on food production, transport and consumption.

 Leonor Mondlane said that a new assessment will be carried out in April to determine the situation on food and nutritional security in the country, taking into account that it is "an ever changing process".

 "We will update these indicators, now, in April, but the projection until March is of 3.3 million people in a situation of food and nutritional insecurity resulting from floods, droughts, among others", emphasized the executive secretary of SETSAN.

 Leonor Mondlane stated that the aforementioned group of people experiencing food insecurity relies on aid from the Government and national and international partners.

Leonor Mondlane added that the people in need include victims of terrorr attacks in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado  and Nampula provinces.

 Mondlane stated that more than 300 schools across Mozamby are covered by a school lunch distribution program to feed students affected by hunger in educational establishments.

 Regarding the food systems panel launched today in the capital, the executive secretary of SETSAN stated that it is useful instrument for harmonizing information on food insecurity and malnutrition in the country, maintaining that the available data is dispersed and fragmented.

Mondlane declared that  "the objective is to put together data  so that the didactic role of informing and harmonizing the understanding of preventing and combating food insecurity and chronic malnutrition in the country can be fulfilled"

 According to Mondlane the tool will help state institutions and other users in formulating policies and strategies. 

The Moza Eye.

Maputo : Heartless Poacher finally sentenced for unspeakable crimes against wildlife

The defendant Chabane Aduge Assuba was convicted by the 10th Criminal Section of the Municipal Court of Maputo on Thursday for the slaughter of at least 42 lion, 20 elephant and four rhino, young and old, males and females, according to the charge sheet.

According to the charge sheet, the defendant was found in possession of pieces of prohibited species in his residence, including 14 lion skulls, 128 bundles of Lion tails, 88 lion claws, 57 kg of Lion bones divided into three bags, 55 pieces of ivory, 74 elephant bones and 24 lion jaws, all of which were seized during a search at his residence, located at Infulene neighborhood in administrative post Machava in Maputo province.

On December 5, 2022 the defendant was arrested in downtown Maputo in possession of over 9 kg of rhino horns, intended to be sold to citizens of Asian descent.

 Subsequently, a search was carried out at the defendant's residence, located in the Infulene neighborhood, administrative post of Machava, Maputo province, where 629.72 kg of prohibited species were seized.

All in all, as stated in the indictment, the rhino horns found in the defendant's possession on the day he was detained outside a hotel, as well as those stored in his residence, total 629.72 kg, are valued at close to 100 million meticais, as total market value. Thus, he is responsible for environmental crimes, which include crimes against wildlife and biodiversity, as well as the crime of money laundering.

According to the process, the defendant Chabane Assuba, before his arrest, was involved in selling seafood and smuggling vehicles. At the same time, he was a partner in a fictitious company called GB SERVICES, together with citizens identified by the names of Máquina Fernandes Niguilo and Lila Carlos Buramo Buramo.

Likewise, Chabane Assuba had relations with José Américo Maló Batsane, Sekou Sacko, of Senegalese nationality, Marcos Paulo, known as "Gogo", Ernesto Augusto Mathula, also referred to as "Nhanguen", who worked for Tiep Ta Quang, an implicated Vietnamese citizen in the trafficking of protected animal species. Chabane acted as an intermediary between the latter and Paulo Zucula Júnior, as well as between Zucula Júnior and Simon Ernesto Valoi, alias "Navarra", both of whom were also involved in the illegal sale of rhino horns, having been detained as part of the Process.

As the indictment alludes to, the defendant Chabane also established business relationships with citizens of Vietnamese and Chinese nationality, who engage in the illicit purchase and export of those species and their derivatives.

Regarding damages, the process alludes to the fact that we are facing a true ecosystem and ecological catastrophe in nature, since the defendant Chabane, together with the already detained Paulo Zucula Júnior and Simon Ernesto Valoi (Navarra), and other fugitives, are part of a criminal network involved in the illegal trade of protected and prohibited species. 

Their action resulted in the destruction of a generation that could continue to reproduce and ensure biodervisity . (RM)

Mozambique attack survivors file complain against energy giant Total Energies

 

Survivors and relatives of victims of a 2021 insurgent attack in Mozambique have filed a complaint against Total Energies TTEF.PA for negligence and indirect manslaughter, saying the company had failed to ensure the safety of subcontractors.

Total Energies rejected the allegations, saying they were “inaccurate.”

Islamist insurgents attacked the port city of Palma in March 2021, killing many civilians in areas close to Mozambique LNG infrastructure projects, owned in part by Total Energies.

The plaintiffs – including three survivors and four relatives of victims who died in an ambush – allege that Total Energies failed to inform subcontractors of the risks of possible attacks or of the progress of such attacks, and did not have proper safety or evacuation plans in place.

The complaint alleges that a private security company’s helicopter rescuing people who had taken refuge in a hotel was stopped due to a lack of fuel, and that Total Energies had refused a request for fuel on the grounds of not wanting to be associated with a private security company.

Some subcontractors tried to escape from the hotel with a convoy of vehicles, which was then ambushed, leaving several dead, the plaintiffs said.

“It’s quite rare to presume that a company could be indicted and prosecuted for indirect manslaughter … But here you have a series of negligences that contributed to a situation that allowed the loss of many lives,” said Henri Thulliez, a lawyer who represents the plaintiffs.

“It is not alleged that Total Energies directly caused the deaths of victims but that the company did not act in accordance with the expected diligence standards of a professional in its responsibilities,” lawyers for the plaintiffs said in a statement.

Total Energies denied the allegations, saying it did have a security plan and had carried it out.

“During the attack on the city of Palma, and according to the information we have, all Mozambique LNG personnel and their contractors and subcontractors were evacuated,” TotalEnergies said.

The company said the Mozambique LNG group’s security plan was for the subcontractors to shelter in place and be evacuated by ferry.

Total Energies said the security situation had improved in the region, where it plans to restart the project before the end of the year.

Source: Reuters

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.

Notwithstanding a fourth consecutive month of declining inflation, prices remain unchanged in Mozambique, as reported by A Verdade

Mozambique is in a position to benefit from opportunities in the free trade zone in Africa.

According to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, the conditions are now favorable for positioning the nation on the global stage in order to benefit from the opportunities presented by the African continental free trade zone.

According to Silvino Moreno, the President of the Republic's package of economic acceleration measures and the recent start of liquefied natural gas export are evidence of the nation's progress.

This past Friday, Moreno gave a speech in Maputo at the start of a conference on the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Hipólito Hamela, the Economic Advisor at the Mozambican Chamber of Commerce, argues that in order to compete, a business environment must be created.

African Continental Free Trade Area: Opportunities and Advantages for Mozambique is the theme of the meeting on the African Continental Free Trade Area, which brings together representatives of the government, cooperative partners, and businesspeople.

In order to facilitate the movement of goods, services, and people across the African continent, the African Continental Free Trade Area aims to establish a single market that unites the 55 African economies.

Passenger rail service between Mozambique and the Kingdom of Esvathine to resume

This Saturday, passenger rail service between Mozambique and the Kingdom of Esvathine will resume.

This occurs two decades after the two countries' services were terminated.

The first locomotive to transport passengers to the Kingdom of Esvathine will leave Maputo Central Station at 06:00 on the 19th, bound for the Matsapa region, about seven kilometers from Mazzimi, the neighboring country's second largest city.

The President of the Association of Micro-importers of Mozambique, Sudecar Novela, points out that this development will cut costs in commercial mobility.

With the passenger transport train running between Mozambique and the Kingdom of Esvathine, the two countries' commercial ties will be strengthened once more.

The trip will take five to six hours and will cost 1250 meticais.

Commercial operators welcome the resumption of passenger rail transport between Mozambique and the Kingdom of Esvathine.