
Maputo, 26 Sep (AIM) – The leader and presidential candidate of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), Lutero Simango, has promised that, if he wins the election on 9 October, he will promote employment and reduce the cost of living.
Speaking on Wednesday to potential voters in Xai-Xai, capital of the southern province of Gaza, Simango said “we want our young people to have jobs. Young people here don’t have jobs, they don’t have opportunities. They end up stealing tomatoes and onions from our mothers, because they do not have jobs. And that’s why there’s suffering here.”
According to Simango, if he wins, he will end this sad reality by promoting job opportunities, as well as by creating ways so that young people may study in good conditions.
“My brothers, my young people, today we are all called to fight the new challenges. That’s why I’m here to ask for your vote on 9 October. Vote for Lutero Simango and the MDM so that we can make changes. We want to make changes. We want to lower the cost of living. We want to create the conditions for our population to have purchasing power”, he said.
Sending an oblique message to his opponent Venancio Mondlane, from Podemos (Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique), Simango said “I will not sell my votes. Another candidate is daydreaming and doesn’t even cut his hair. He’s like a man who marries his first wife and sends her away. He marries his second wife and then sends her on her way.”
Simango was referring to Mondlane’s habit of changing parties. He rose to prominence as a member of the MDM, but then switched to Renamo. After he failed in his bid to challenge Renamo President Ossufo Momade for leadership of the party, he resigned from Renamo and now relies on Podemos for support.
Simango also appreciated the achievements of the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS) in the fight against the Islamist terrorists that have been plaguing parts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
“The Mozambican Forces are now fighting against the new settlers, including the terrorism in Cabo Delgado. We appreciate the work that they have been doing”, he said.
But he also claimed there are “new settlers” in “the red party” (i.e. Frelimo) – an odd claim to make, since nobody doubts that Frelimo leaders are all Mozambicans.
“We are called upon to fight the new settlers”, he declared. “That’s why I’m here to ask for your vote on 9 October. Vote for Lutero Simango and the MDM, so that we can make changes”.
(AIM)
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