Maputo, 27 Feb (AIM) – The Mozambican Interior Minister Paulo Chachine claims that despite rioting, characterized by looting and destruction of infrastructures in some regions, the country remains safe and stable.
According to Chachine, who was speaking on Wednesday, in the Malawian city of Blantyre, during the repatriation of over 7,000 Mozambicans who fled to neighboring Malawi as a result of post-election tension, “the wave of destruction of public and private property in some regions cannot mean insecurity, as most of the country continues to enjoy peace.”
These refugees are from the districts of Morrumbala and Milange, in the central province of Zambézia, and from Mutarara and Dôa districts, in the neighboring province of Tete.
Mass demonstrations, called by the former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane in order to protest against the fraudulent results of the general elections held last October, began peacefully but then degenerated into rioting, including the destruction of public and private property, road blockades and the looting of stores.
Chachine explained that the government is working “to ensure that the country remains safe and firmly on the path of development.”
“The country is safe, there is safety in Mozambique. But, of course, there are some cases of destabilization. However, we cannot say that these cases of destabilization are taking place across the country. If there was destabilization across the country, many Mozambicans would also flee to Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, which are countries that border Mozambique”, he said.
During his working visit, the minister also met his Malawian counterpart in order to discuss the measures to be carried out by the governments of both countries during the repatriation mission.
(AIM)
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