MOZAMBIQUE: Too early to ask for debt forgiveness – Chissano

Mozambique’s former head of state Joaquim Chissano says that it is too early to ask creditors for forgiveness of the Mozambican debt which has caused the country’s major donors to cancel state budget support.

Former president Joaquim Chissano

Chissano argued that as the assets acquired have not yet begun to produce profits, it was not possible to assess whether the country could afford them or not.

According to the Mozambican authorities, some of the money borrowed is to be spent with the Mozambican Tuna Company, and some had been used for the purchase of military equipment.

Interviewed by VOA in Johannesburg, Chissano also spoke about the climate of tension in Mozambique, with dozens of people killed and more than ten thousand taking refuge in neighbouring Malawi.

Chissano said that the Mozambican government is facing a dilemma because Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama is in the bush and no other interlocutor is available, but there is no way forward but dialogue.

Chissano is currently special African Union envoy to the Western Sahara, a country still under Moroccan colonial rule.

Chissano has told the African parliament that there is an impasse in the referendum on self-determination of the Sahara, because the Moroccan government insists the former Spanish colony is part of its territory.

Voice Of America