“We have reports of businesses that were vandalized, but I believe the majority have turned the page at this point. Companies have been able to recover, resume their activities, and are now looking to the future. We look to the future with great anticipation and hope because we believe in Mozambique,” stated the Portuguese ambassador to Mozambique, Jorge Monteiro, in Maputo.
In March, the Portuguese government announced it was studying mechanisms to support Portuguese-owned businesses vandalized during post-election demonstrations in Mozambique, following a meeting with at least five businessmen in Maputo whose properties were vandalized, led by the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Cesário.
Today, the Portuguese ambassador, who officially took office in September, remarked that Mozambique experienced a “very difficult period” after the October 2024 elections, which also impacted the international community living in the country, including Portuguese nationals. He indicated that there is hope as a “new political cycle” is underway in the country.
“We are welcoming and closely watching the reformist spirit this Government has shown a desire to undertake. We believe these reforms are necessary and could contribute to new economic dynamism, creating jobs and opportunities for the youth,” Jorge Monteiro said.
The diplomat promised continued support from Portugal in the ongoing political dialogue in Mozambique aimed at reforms, mentioning that this path will “avoid situations like those following the elections from recurring.”
“Currently, the process is underway, and we are monitoring it. Portugal, the European Union, and the international community, in general, are closely following the progress of this process. We are still in the dialogue and consultation phase,” said Jorge Monteiro.
“I believe there will come a time when conclusions will be presented, and I think that Mozambicans primarily expect ambition from this process, that concrete proposals will emerge that allow reforms the country needs to face future challenges with greater strength and inclusiveness across all societal trends and sectors, and ultimately inspire confidence in Mozambican citizens,” concluded the diplomat.
Violence in Mozambique erupted from Maputo on October 21, 2024, two days after the double murder of lawyer Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, supporters of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
On December 23, two months and a half after the voting, the Constitutional Council declared Daniel Chapo the presidential election winner with 65.17% of the votes in the October 9 general elections, followed by Venâncio Mondlane with 24%, who never acknowledged the results.
The Decide platform, a civil society organization monitoring the electoral processes, reported this month in a final balance that the social unrest led to 411 deaths and more than 7,200 arrests.
Daniel Chapo and Venâncio Mondlane met in Maputo for the first time since the elections on March 23, and the following day the former presidential candidate called for an end to violence, with no social unrest associated with electoral disputes being reported since then.
