“Many Mozambicans have lost faith completely in their political leaders.” PopeFrancis Pope Mozambique
The former Portuguese colony emerged from 15 years of civil war in 1992 but it was only in August that President Filipe Nyusi of the ruling Frelimo party and the leader of the Renamo opposition, Ossufo Momade, signed a permanent ceasefire.”He is coming at a time when we Mozambicans are trying to consolidate peace,” said Manuela Muianga, a Biologist and Disaster Relief Manager.
Francis, who is expected to talk about peace when he meets Mozambique’s leaders on Thursday, mentioned his concern in a video message to the country ahead of the seven-day trip.”I think he is going to give a forceful message to the country’s leaders about their responsibility to bring about peace and reconciliation.
According to the World Bank, Mozambique has lost 8 million hectares of forest, about the size of Portugal, since the 1970s. According to the French agricultural research centre CIRAD, in Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island, about 44 per cent of forests have disappeared over the past 60 years.
Francis has called for a fairer distribution of wealth between prosperous and developing countries, and defended the right of countries to control their mineral resources.Mozambique and Madagascar rank in the lowest quarter of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pope heads to Mozambique to help consolidate peace – Daily TrustPope Francis heads to Mozambique on Wednesday to encourage the country’s fragile peace, starting a three-nation African tour where climate change, poverty and corruption will also be high on the agenda. The former Portuguese colony emerged from 15 years of civil war in 1992 but it was only in August that President Filipe Nyusi of …
Read more »
Pope Francis Begins Africa Tour, Visits Violence-Hit MozambiquePope Francis Begins Africa Tour, Visits Violence-Hit Mozambique.
Read more »
Pope Francis lands in Mozambique to start African tourPope Francis was greeted by Mozambique's president on Wednesday as he kicked off a three-nation tour of African countries, expected to focus on those hard hit by poverty, conflict and natural disas...
Read more »
Pope heads to Mozambique to help consolidate peace – Daily TrustPope Francis heads to Mozambique on Wednesday to encourage the country’s fragile peace, starting a three-nation African tour where climate change, poverty and corruption will also be high on the agenda. The former Portuguese colony emerged from 15 years of civil war in 1992 but it was only in August that President Filipe Nyusi of …
Read more »