651 decorated for participation in National Liberation Struggle

Maputo, 26 Sep (AIM) – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday awarded the “Veteran of the Mozambique Liberation Struggle” Medal to 651 people, declaring that the award recognizes their active participation in the national liberation struggle, as well as their efforts to enhance the achievements of national independence.

The recognition took place in Maputo, as part of ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the launch of the armed national liberation struggle against Portuguese colonial rule on 25 September 1964.

According to the President, the people decorated had distinguished themselves in military operations as members of the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS).

Nyusi added that everyone who took part in the national liberation struggle is entitled to the Veteran of the Mozambique Liberation Struggle Medal. He extended this to include those who distinguished themselves in operations to combat terrorism in Cabo Delgado.

“To our brothers who have been in the trenches together and some of whom are still in Cabo Delgado, I have said that there is nothing that can erase the sacrifice of those young men who have fallen in battle, who have watered Mozambican soil with their blood to see their brothers free of terrorism, and that is because we are one”, he said.

Terrorism, he said, is an evil, “and we’re doing everything we can so that we can all solve the problem at the same time and the way we’ve found is through multilateral and bilateral co-operation. It’s been a reference case because since we’ve been fighting together we’ve never had any cases of internal conflict between armies. It’s a unique experience and we will continue to value it.”

The President also honoured members of the Defense Forces from the neighboring countries namely: Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Tanzania.

(AIM)

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