Mozambique President lands in Tanzania on his first state visit

MAPUTO, Mozambique

The president of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, has on Wednesday May 7, arrived in Tanzania, the country chosen for his first state visit since taking office on 15 January, according to a statement issues by the Presidency of the Republic on Wednesday.

“This is President Chapo’s first state visit as head of state and represents a significant milestone in strengthening Mozambique’s bilateral diplomacy,” the Presidency of the Republic said.

On 15 April, the standing committee of parliament approved authorisation for the Mozambican president to visit Tanzania from 7 to 9 May, responding to an invitation from his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Hassan.

“The visit is part of deepening the historic relations of brotherhood, friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two peoples and countries. It also provides a unique opportunity for the two heads of state to assess the current state of bilateral cooperation and share information on the political, economic and social situation in their respective countries, the African region and the world in general,” the statement from the Presidency of the Republic added.

The two countries are discussing a project to establish a single border crossing in northern Mozambique to strengthen trade relations.

The document does not detail the programme for the first state visit of Daniel Chapo, who was sworn in almost four months ago as Mozambique’s fifth president. However, it does mention that the President is accompanied by Minister of Defence Cristóvão Chume, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Maria Manuela Lucas, Minister of Economy Basílio Muhate, and by Secretary of State for Transport Chinguane Mabote.

Tanzania is one of the countries that has supported Mozambique in the fight against terrorist groups operating since 2017 in Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country, near its border, including with military personnel on the ground on the Mozambican side.

The governors of the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa, which border Tanzania and have seen attacks by these terrorist groups in recent weeks, are also accompanying the Head of State on the visit.