EUROPEAN UNION TO FUND RENAMO’s DISARMAMENT

The sum for this purpose is part of a 400 million euros package to be made available this year to fund a number of activities in Mozambique, such as management of public finances, infrastructures, education and water supply systems across the country.

According to the daily paper “Noticias” this was announced on Wednesday by Stefano Manservisi, director general for International Cooperation and Development, speaking to Mozambican journalists in Cape Verde shortly after the meeting with the Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi, on the side-lines of the just ended 12th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

Until recently, this sum used to be channelled for direct support of Mozambique’s State Budget, but was withdrawn in 2016 following the disclosure of the hidden debts scandal.

Stefano Manservisi explained that the decision to resume support to Mozambique, through direct support to the activities in these sectors, is in recognition of the work carried out by President Nyusi and his Government seeking to introduce a new public policy reform program.

Also, the EU believes that positive results under the reform program and the dialogue with Renamo, for a lasting peace will only be achieved if it remains as a strong partner of Mozambique.

The meeting with the Mozambican Head of State was also aimed at discussing the best ways to apply the sum of 400 million euros, and both parties agreed on four areas namely demilitarization and reintegration of Renamo armed men, support of education sector programs, infrastructures, particularly road construction, improve public finance management and water supply to the population.

Nyusi welcomes this decision of the European Union. Meanwhile, the government will continue with its efforts to clarify the causes that led to the cut of direct support to the State Budget, for the cooperation partners “to regain confidence in our financial system,” said Nyusi, adding that work is already being done in this direction.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the EU’s decision to invest in the country funds that used to be granted to the government, even though earmarked for specific activities.

“The new element, which is good for us in this new partnership with the European Union, is that the funding will stay in the country which will allow development of elected activities,” said Nyusi.

(AIM)