MONTEPUEZ, Mozambique
The leader and presidential candidate of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), Lutero Simango, has promised that, if he wins the election on 9 October, he will do all in his power to end the war in the northern province of Cabo Delgado – including “talking with the Devil, if necessary”.
Simango, cited in the
independent daily “O Pais”, was speaking on Tuesday at a rally in the village
of Mararange, in the Cabo Delgado district of Montepuez. He told his audience
that, if they wanted more drinking water, good quality schools and hospitals
where medicines are available, then they should vote for him and for the MDM in
the general elections.
But his main concern was to
end the terrorist violence that has scarred parts of Cabo Delgado since 2017.
Clearly he believed the war
could be ended through negotiation. “If necessary, I shall sit down with the
Devil to do away with terrorism”, said Simango. “This is not a land of
suffering. Young people need peace. We shall bring this peace”.
He also promised to create
jobs through industrialization. In particular, he promised to build graphite
processing factories in Montepuez. Cabo Delgado has some of the largest known
graphite deposits in the world, and Simango insisted that this mineral must be
processed before it is exported.
The MDM is also committed to
installing timber processing factories. “Our wood should be processed here”,
Simango said. “That is what will employ more young people”.
He also promised that a future
MDM government will improve the roads between the provincial capitals and the
administrative posts. Simango is making a point of visiting the districts and
administrative posts by road, rather than by plane or helicopter.
“With Lutero Simango and the
MDM, things are going to change”, he promise. “Young people, you can trust us.
We have the solution to your problems”.
No comments:
Post a Comment