III bilateral summit Mozambique - Portugal:

Miguel Verde

From  the 5th to the 7th of July, a summit will be held between Portugal and Mozambique in the city of Maputo.

Taking advantage of a more stable relationship between the two countries, it would be good for Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi to clarify and expound some issues that are either suspended or collapsed.

One figures out that economic and trade relations will be at the top of the agenda, as well as strengthening political-diplomatic relations.

We are already accustomed to a Portuguese diplomatic "navigation" that does not seek to "stir up the pot" with its former colonies.

However, rather than strengthening ties with the aforementioned issues, which in reality are often the most discussed topics at summits, it is appropriate to take this opportunity to:

- Better understand the financial and economic crisis that Mozambique is experiencing since 2016. The IMF and 14 other donors (including Portugal) have stopped transferring funds to the African country as a result of hidden debts contracted by state-owned companies. Is there greater transparency of  the state accounts or not? Have efforts been made to clarify this situation and to convict the guilty parties?

- - Another point that is expected to be discussed and  is awaited with great expectation concerns the kidnapping of the Portuguese businessman Américo Sebastião, who has been missing since July 2016. There has been no evolution in the investigations, and relations between the two countries have cooled off considerably , especially since the Mozambican state has not responded, at least until now, to the aid offered by Portugal in both the judicial and police sectors. It would be great for both sides that cooperation really existed, and eventually brought results.

- Finally, the Portuguese State also has the chance to make available its resources and diplomatic channels to help Mozambique in the fight against terrorism. We remember that in recent months, its province in the northeast , Cabo Delgado, has suffered several attacks by extremist Islamist militias, responsible for several deaths and leaving behind a scenario of destruction and insecurity. In this same area, large investments are expected from several multinationals, bearing in mind the offshore exploration of natural gas.