An overly civil society?
Mozambican activists lack the power to intervene on behalf of the most vulnerable, says a report. Bayano Valy investigates.
Mozambican activists lack the power to intervene on behalf of the most vulnerable, says a report. Bayano Valy investigates.
With a lack of faith in the police seeming to have escalated in certain suburbs of the Mozambican capital, Maputo, citizens have lately resorted to taking the law into their own hands, and meting out rough justice to alleged criminals. This has resulted in a body count of more than 20 since August.
There were few surprises this week when the final results for Mozambique’s general elections on December 1 and 2 were announced. On Tuesday, the National Elections Commission said the presidential poll had been won by Armando Guebuza of the ruling Frelimo party. This group also garnered a majority of seats in Parliament.
When her husband died two months ago, Albertina Come did not only lose him. She also lost their house and belongings acquired through hard work over ten years of marriage. Come’s husband is among some 97Â 000 Mozambicans who health authorities say will die of HIV/Aids this year alone. And Come’s situation is not unique.
The 79-member grouping of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (48 sub-Saharan countries including Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) known as the ACP bloc wrapped up its latest summit in the Mozambican capital, Maputo, last week, with delegates expressing a willingness to kick-start stalled global trade talks.