President insists on comparison between Ukraine and Mozambique. "There cannot be two standards for identical situations"
Reconnecting with the people, delivering a diplomatic reprimand and announcing the swearing-in of the Government. That is what Marcelo went to Maputo to do, where he promises to return before leaving office
President insists on comparison between Ukraine and Mozambique. "There cannot be two standards for identical situations"
The President of the Republic’s official visit to Mozambique ended as it began: with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa drawing a comparison between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the terrorist attacks in northern Mozambique. "Within each state, political power is sovereign. There cannot be two standards for identical situations," the head of state said at a meeting with the Portuguese community, at a Maputo hotel belonging to the same group as the eco-resort he inaugurated on Friday.
A diplomatic reprimand for Mozambique, which abstained in the UN General Assembly vote condemning the invasion of Ukraine but asks for international support to fight terrorism in Cabo Delgado? "No! Simply an observation of fact," the President told Expresso at the end of this four-day visit, during which he once again tried to conduct international relations using what he considers the best weapon: empathy.
He had already delivered another message to Mozambique while taking stock of his visit a few hours earlier, after another visit to a training facility where Portuguese and European cooperation is helping Mozambican troops prepare to fight in Cabo Delgado. "Victory over terrorism is always a very difficult victory because it is not just a military victory," he warned in remarks to journalists, adding that it is also necessary to ensure that victory is consolidated by creating economic, financial and social conditions.
The meeting with the Portuguese community at the end of the day gave Marcelo an opportunity to address several issues, including messages for Mozambique and Portugal. Speaking of the war in Ukraine, "very close to our borders, because our borders are those of NATO and the European Union", he explained that the Portuguese mobilisation to help refugees was due to the "very large community" of Ukrainians living in Portugal. "We hope peace comes sooner rather than later," Marcelo said.
On the pandemic, which he hopes will become "endemic" without further waves, and which was used to justify the visa and quarantine problems that prompted protests from the Portuguese community in Mozambique over the previous two years, he said: "It was a time we hope will never be experienced again."
On the Portugal–Mozambique bilateral summit, which "is crucial" and which the Government will schedule as soon as it takes office: "I speak for myself and the prime minister, not for the list of government members, which I will only learn when I arrive in Lisbon," he concluded, recalling that it was also during this visit that he announced plans to swear in the new Executive on the 30th.
Once the speech ended, a tradition the President had clearly missed resumed: selfies and kisses. For 1 hour and 10 minutes, Marcelo was Marcelo again. Halfway through, a Portuguese man working in European cooperation brought him a plate of bread and cheese and a glass of water. He asked for wine instead of water. But he did not touch the plate or the glass until the queue for selfies had ended. Some people joined the queue more than once, sometimes for a picture with the President alone, sometimes with a husband or wife, sometimes with work colleagues or friends.
Marcelo had, indeed, already mentioned in his speech that this visit also marked his return to direct contact with the people. And, before leaving office, he promises to return. In August, for the "reopening of the restored cathedral" in Quelimane, capital of Zambézia province. The 18th-century building has been under restoration and will become a cultural centre. But that will not be all, as he intends to "explore other parts of Mozambique, perhaps go with President Nyusi to Cabo Delgado" and "certainly return to Maputo".
