Center for Mozambican and International Studies

News Summary Project

News Summary, 9th June, 2009 – English Version


Index

1. Democracy, Governance and Corruption

1.1.Guebuza visits Gaza province

1.2.War veterans cancel strike

1.3.Congress of Renamo postponed once again

1.4.USA will not cut but instead reinforces support

1.5.Cornélio Quivelas will be the next MDM recruit

2. Economics and Development

2.1.Construction of first silos

2.2.Maputo Port coal terminal being modernized

2.3.Tax Authority begins selection of large contributors for special service

3. Human Rights, Justice and Legal Affairs

3.1.Networks of home-production of arms dismantled

3.2.Drug trafficker detained in Beira



1. DEMOCRACY, GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION

1.1.Guebuza visits Gaza province

President Armando Guebuza starts a visit to Gaza province with seven Ministers and four European Ambassadors. Guebuza will visit the districts of Massangena, Chockwe, Chibuto and Xai Xai to evaluate the performance of the Five Year Program of the Government. His visit to Gaza will last four days and takes place within the scope of “open presidency”. (Jornal da Noite da TVM. 9th June, 2009).



1.2.War veterans cancel strike

War veterans yesterday canceled a national strike which was scheduled for today. At a meeting yesterday with the Minister of Defense, Filipe Nyussi, the veterans gave the Government three months to revise their pensions. They demand that the Government pays them a minimum of 15000 Meticais per month. They also want social assistance, opportunities for training, employment and self-employment. Nyussi did not give any details, but promised to meet the demands in the short or medium term. (O Pais. 9th June, 2009).



1.3.Congress of Renamo postponed once again

The spokesperson of Renamo, Fernando Mazanga, confirmed that the Party will not hold its Congress on the formerly announced dates of 11-13 June. This time, new dates have not been proposed. According to the Party’s statutes, a congress can be called by two-thirds of the members of the National Council or by the President of the Party. (O Pais. 9th June, 2009).



1.4.USA will not cut but instead reinforces support

Two weeks after threatening to cut support to Mozambique in the area of health, Todd Chapman has said that the USA will keep its promises of support to development projects. He made these statements at a conference on North American Support to Developing Countries, held by the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI). Support to Mozambique will increase from US$350m this year to US$373m in 2010. (O Pais. 9th June, 2009).



1.5.Cornélio Quivelas will be the next MDM recruit

The Member of Parliament of Renamo for Cabo Delgado and Member of the Party’s National Council, Cornélio Quivelas, will be the next MDM recruit. Quivelas participated in the MDM National Meeting, in the capacity of invitee and did not deny his sympathies with the Party, admitting that his joining it is only a matter of time. (O Pais. 9th June, 2009).



2. ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT

2.1.Construction of first silos

A program of construction of three silo complexes with a total capacity of storing 18000 tons of cereals has begun in the provinces of Niassa, Zambezia and Sofala. The project aims to reduce hunger in the country occurring as a result of lack of reserves. Farmers have been selling all of their produce due to the lack of storage facilities.(Noticias. 9th June, 2009).



2.2.Maputo Port coal terminal being modernized

The Maputo Port Development Society is investing US$100m in a project of modernization and expansion of the Matola coal terminal. The project aims to increase capacity to enable the handling of six million tons per year, principally exports of coal and magnetite from Mpumalanga and Phalaborwa.(Noticias. 9th June, 2009).



2.3.Tax Authority begins selection of large contributors for special service

The National Tax Department launched yesterday new classification criteria for large public sector contributors. The program aims to give a personal service to the companies which contribute most to State receipts. There are currently at least 600,000 tax payers in the country. (O Pais. 9th June, 2009).



3. HUMAN RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

3.1.Networks of home-production of arms dismantled

Thirty six home-made firearms, allegedly used for illegal hunting, were seized in the first quarter of this year in district of Funhalouro, in Inhambane. In the same period nine vehicles transporting 140 pieces of meat of animals hunted illegally in the forest were discovered by the local authorities. (Noticias. 9th June, 2009).



3.2.Drug trafficker detained in Beira

The police detained last Friday a suspected drug trafficker identified as Mohammed Ibraimo, known as “mono” due to being found in possession of 1kg of haxixe, found in a bag in his car. The case is being investigated by the Police Criminal Investigation Unit (PIC).(Noticias. 9th June, 2009).




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COLLABORATION
Constâncio Nguja and Michael Howard – Translation
Delfina Dança – Democracy, Governance and Corruption
Sandra Matusse - Human Rights, Justice and Legal Affairs
Saite Júnior – Economcs and Development
Celso Gusse – CEMO Director Executive