Musings From Abroad

US requests probe into murders of two Mozambique opposition figures

Published

1 month ago

October 24, 2024

The United States administration denounced the weekend deaths of two Mozambique opposition members, demanding a prompt and comprehensive inquiry ahead of protests against a disputed election outcome.

According to the US State Department website, the US is the largest bilateral donor to Mozambique, providing approximately $560 million annually in aid. Washington, along with the EU and Portugal, condemned and demanded an investigation into the murders of opposition lawyer Elvino Dias and party official Paulo Guambe, who were shot in their car on Saturday.

“The United States condemns the killings of lawyer Elvino Dias and Podemos parliamentary candidate Paulo Guambe in Mozambique,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

“We join the calls made by all four of Mozambique’s national political parties in urging a swift and thorough investigation.”

In the capital Maputo, demonstrators gathering near the location where the two opposition party leaders were shot dead on Saturday following a contentious election were met with gunshots and tear gas by Mozambique police on Monday.

Early results from Mozambique’s general election on October 9 indicate that the ruling Frelimo party is projected to win again. The final results are anticipated this week. Candidates in opposition claim the poll was manipulated.

Since 1975, Frelimo has governed the southern African nation, and opposition leaders, civic society, and election monitors have accused him of electoral fraud. It refutes the accusations.

The State Department called on Mozambique’s political leaders, residents, stakeholders, and state institutions to settle electoral disputes legally and peacefully while avoiding inflammatory rhetoric and violence.

Related Topics:Featured Mozambique United States

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Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

22 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

22 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.