The Portuguese state was criticized for hosting a summit with Mozambique, as liberal MP Rodrigo Saraiva expressed on social media, condemning the summit as a show of “hypocrisy” and opposing political and constitutional values. He dubbed the event, which included multiple agreements with a government deemed authoritarian and elected through supposedly fraudulent elections, as beyond acceptable political conduct.
Speaking to Lusa, Rodrigo Saraiva, who initiated a resolution urging the Portuguese government not to recognize Mozambique’s election results, emphasized that the Liberal Initiative (IL) party doesn’t oppose international relations with non-democratic regimes.
“However, a summit of such magnitude, facilitating numerous agreements and state honors, some carried out and others planned, raises concerns,” he elaborated.
Saraiva noted plans for a state dinner honoring Mozambique President Daniel Chapo, hosted by the Portuguese President.
“Daniel Chapo lacks democratic legitimacy; the elections were evidently fraudulent. He represents a regime that has condemned its people to poverty and maintains power through oppression,” the deputy asserted.
Saraiva highlighted a governmental discord with the National Assembly, which passed a resolution not recognizing Mozambique’s election results and calling for an independent investigation.
He remarked, “Welcoming Daniel Chapo as usual is wrong. When Chapo seeks cooperation, he’s essentially asking for financial aid, despite Mozambique’s richer natural resources compared to Portugal, resources that never benefit its populace.”
The sixth Portugal-Mozambique summit occurred today at the Palácio da Bolsa, Porto, with around twenty officials from both countries present.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced a 500 million euro credit line to motivate Portuguese investments in Mozambique.
