Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said in an exclusive interview with CNN Portugal that he was unaware of any contact with former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane through a mutual friend. The information contradicts what Mondlane said in a New York Times interview.
‘I’ve also heard about these contacts, but this mutual friend hasn’t contacted me yet. I’m sure that this mutual friend will get in touch and, from there, we’ll know what the message is and, based on that message, we’ll work to pacify the country,’ argued the head of state.
Speaking to the Portuguese channel, Chapo commented on the 25 measures proposed by Mondlane, rejecting some of them as impractical and controversial, especially the idea of implementing the so-called ‘talion law’.
‘One of the measures is: if a Mozambican dies, then so does a policeman. The population is orientated towards killing policemen. I don’t know if that makes sense to a man of average intelligence,’ declared the President, emphasising that such measures were inconceivable.
The head of state made it clear that the government’s decisions will not be taken on the basis of external pressure or ultimatums. ‘The implementation of the measures does not come from Mr Venâncio Mondlane. That has to be made very clear,’ he said, emphasising that “the government is focused on assessing the damage caused by the demonstrations and formulating a national recovery plan”.
Chapo also touched on diplomatic relations with Portugal, refuting the idea that the absence of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at his inauguration represented a lack of interest on the part of the Portuguese government.
‘Our relations with Portugal remain intact,’ he said, praising the call made by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to congratulate him on his election and offer support for the process of dialogue and peace in the country.