Maputo, 25 May (AIM) – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo considers the late Lieutenant General Joaquim Munhepe as one of Mozambique’s “most notable sons” as he played a decisive role in the national liberation struggle, the consolidation of the armed forces, and the building of the State.
According to Chapo, speaking at the funeral eulogy of Joaquim Munhepe, held at the Heroes’ Square in Maputo, Munhepe’s trajectory dedicated himself to the fight against foreign colonial domination and the defense of the sovereignty of the nation whose conquest.
According to the head of State and President of the ruling Frelimo party, Munhepe distinguished himself from a very young age by his commitment to nationalist and anti-colonial ideals, having clandestinely left the city of Beira in 1964 to join the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) in Tanzania.
“After political-military training in Bagamoyo, Munhepe was selected for military specialization in the then Soviet Union, joining a group of young fighters led by former President Joaquim Chissano. In Moscow, he distinguished himself by the excellence of his performance,” he said.
“He played a central role in the creation and consolidation of the communications system of the liberation forces, ensuring permanent links between the Frelimo leadership and the operational units in the interior of the country. After the independence proclamation in 1975, Munhepe held several strategic military positions, including head of military communications, director of training at the General Staff, commander of the land forces, and inspector-general of the armed forces”, he said.
The President added that Munhepe was a pioneer of the first transmission station in independent Mozambique and one of the main architects of the operational capacity of the Mozambican Armed Forces.
“Throughout this long career, General Munhepe established himself as an exceptional combatant and strategist in the art of war, highly respected in the country and the region”, he said.
In addition to his military career, Chapo highlighted the political involvement of the deceased, who was a member of the Frelimo Central Committee from 1968 until his death, as well as serving in the country’s parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, and the National Defense and Security Council.
(AIM)
NL/Am/
