Latest news with #Mozambique
Russia Today
10 minutes ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Everything stolen from Africa must be returned
Africa must reclaim everything that was taken by Western colonial powers – not only stolen cultural artifacts, but also its dignity, independence, and economic agency, Mozambican Foreign Minister Maria Manuela Lucas said on Tuesday. Speaking after talks in Moscow with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, she argued that historical injustices must be addressed through structural reform, not just symbolic acts from Western powers. Lucas stressed that Africa's return to sovereignty must go beyond the repatriation of museum pieces and focus on transforming how the continent takes part in the global economy. This includes ending dependency on raw materials exports and investing in domestic value-added production, she added. 'Everything that was brought away from Africa must be returned to the continent,' Lucas said. 'I'm not only speaking about tangible artifacts, [but also] about the policy that would result in our economic independence... We would like to feel as Africans, to work as Africans, to be Africans.' Her remarks follow Mozambique's request in May for the return of around 800 cultural objects held in European museums – including traditional masks, statues, and ritual archives removed by the colonial authorities. The minister of education and culture, Samaria Tovela, said the restitution of these items is crucial to restoring cultural identity. Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975, after a decade-long liberation struggle led by the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique. Like many post-colonial African nations, it has called for reparations and the return of cultural property removed during the colonial era. In June, the Netherlands returned 119 artifacts to Nigeria, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia, and a historic bell. They were looted from the West African country more than a century ago. The African Union has declared 2025 the year of reparations.
Russia Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Mozambican president planning Russia visit
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo is planning to visit Russia, the country's foreign minister, Maria Manuela Lucas, announced during a press conference following talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on Tuesday. Chapo took office as leader of the southeast African nation in January. Lavrov confirmed that he would also visit Maputo in return. Lavrov's most recent visit to Mozambique took place in 2018. The two nations officially established diplomatic ties in 1975. 'Madam Minister kindly invited me to once again visit hospitable Maputo. I will certainly do so,' Lavrov said during the joint briefing. Mozambique is seeking Russian expertise in several strategic sectors. Lucas highlighted fishing and maritime development as a priority, given the country's long Indian Ocean coastline and underdeveloped fisheries sector. 'Russia has a vast experience in the field of fisheries development and development of water resources,' Lucas said. 'We would like to develop cooperation in the field of the industrialization of our country, we would like to use the support and the experience of Russia.' In recent months, Russia has supplied more than 70,000 tons of grain to Mozambique, according to Lucas. She added that her country also wants to diversify foreign partnerships in the extractives sector, particularly in natural gas. 'We asked Minister Lavrov to support large companies from Russia that are engaged in oil and gas extraction and would like to enter the Mozambican market,' she stated. Education was another focus of the talks. Lavrov said 75 Mozambican students are currently enrolled in Russian universities under a government quota – and that Moscow is prepared to offer more slots in the future. 'We are ready to give more,' Lavrov noted. The Russian diplomat also highlighted the role of alternative financial systems in Moscow's engagement with Africa, saying that mechanisms using national currencies were already in use and steadily improving. 'These mechanisms have been functioning for quite some time and continue to improve, primarily involving the broader use of national currencies – but not exclusively,' Lavrov said, describing them as part of a broader effort to shield trade from Western-controlled financial institutions.
Bloomberg
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Gas and Power Give Mozambique a Chance to Reset
Welcome to Next Africa, a twice-weekly newsletter on where the continent stands now — and where it's headed. Sign up here to have it delivered to your email. In the half century since it gained independence, Mozambique has failed to meet its potential.
Bloomberg
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Mozambique's Opposition Chief Mondlane Faces Terrorism Charges
Mozambique's attorney-general charged prominent opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane for incitement to terrorism and disobedience following post-election violence that left hundreds of people dead. 'The charge has already been formalized,' Mondlane told reporters in a press conference broadcast on state-owned TVM Tuesday. 'The next steps now are to gather local and international lawyers' to discussion options, he said.
Bloomberg
20 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Mozambique's Maputo Port Sees Sharp Drop in Volumes After Unrest
Mozambique's Maputo port suffered a steep drop in shipments during the first half of the year amid trade uncertainties and social unrest, according to the company that runs its operations. The port, a key hub in the global trade of chrome used to make stainless steel — handled 14 million tons of cargo from January through June, said Osório Lucas, chief executive officer at the Maputo Port Development Company. That represents a 14% decline on a year-on-year basis, he said in a virtual interview on Tuesday.
