Manhiça, 18 Sep (AIM) — Mozambican President Daniel Chapo calls for culture of peace, unity and love for one another, arguing that these values are fundamental to ensuring security and accelerating the country’s development.
Speaking at a rally in Manhiça district as part of his three-day working visit to the southern province of Maputo, Chapo warned against the risks of “violence and hate speech, particularly in a context marked by the implications of the electoral process.”
The President was possibly referring to the mass demonstrations called by the former Presidential Candidate Venancio Mondlane to protest against the alleged fraudulent results of the general elections held in October 2024. The demonstrations started peacefully but then degenerated into rioting, as well as destruction of public and private facilities.
“No country in the world develops without peace and security. For there to be peace, there must be unity, and for there to be unity, there must be love among Mozambican brothers and sisters. There can be no room for hatred or violence”, he said.
The President also condemned acts of vandalism against public property, noting that “schools and hospitals had been destroyed in the wake of the electoral process.”
According to Chapo, makes no sense to destroy public infrastructures, because “these assets belong to all Mozambicans, regardless of their political affiliations.” “When the government builds a school, it is for the people. A school does not walk, does not speak, does not hold a voter card, and did not run for office. What does a school have to do with elections?”, he questioned.
The President advocated for dialogue as the primary tool for conflict resolution, citing the ongoing process within the Inclusive National Dialogue (COTE) as an example.
“You reap what you sow. No one sows corn and harvests oranges. If we sow hatred, we will reap hatred; if we sow violence, we will reap violence. If we want peace, we must sow peace to reap peace”, he declared.
He added that the consolidation of peace must be viewed as a responsibility shared by all. “Unity among citizens is a condition for creating an environment conducive to economic and social development”, he said.
Am/
