“I think at this moment we have to focus on this level of cooperation, which must become increasingly solid, because we believe that economic, social, political, and environmental cooperation is extremely important between the two countries, between the two peoples,” stated Daniel Chapo in response to an interview with media outlets in Maputo.
In 2025, as Mozambique marks the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of national independence by its first President, Samora Machel, on June 25, 1975, the African Union has designated the year as “Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”
When questioned about the need for reparations from Portugal, whose President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will be present at Wednesday’s celebrations in Maputo, Daniel Chapo dismissed this scenario, emphasizing the current relationship between the two countries.
“For us, the most important thing right now is the excellent relationship between Portugal and Mozambique. The relations at present are extraordinary, growing every day. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s visit to Mozambique is a very strong sign of the good relations that exist,” Daniel Chapo highlighted.
Therefore, according to the Mozambican President, it is on “cooperation” that the two countries should focus to “create better living conditions” for both peoples.
“We have ties of friendship, language, and even family ties. We have Portuguese people here in Mozambique marrying Mozambicans. Many Mozambicans are in [Portugal] marrying Portuguese, Mozambicans are being born in Portugal and Portuguese in Mozambique. So, we believe this is what is most important at the moment. Strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation and looking forward,” he said.
For Chapo, the visit of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to Mozambique for the independence anniversary “is a sign of strengthening this friendship” and “this cooperation” between Portugal and Mozambique, a presence expected to serve to “further reinforce the bonds of friendship and cooperation,” especially in economic, political, social, and environmental areas.
“The bonds of friendship and cooperation between Portugal and Mozambique are historic and need to be increasingly consolidated between our peoples, our nations… so that we can have a common future of growth and development and create better living conditions for our peoples,” concluded the Mozambican head of state.
The celebrations of Mozambique’s 50th independence anniversary will take place on Wednesday, June 25, at Machava Stadium, Maputo, where the proclamation ceremony took place in 1975, with the presence of 32 heads of state, including from Portugal.
