Finance terrorism want to recolonize

The President of the Republic says that the financiers of terrorism in Cabo Delgado have political interests which aim to destabilize and colonize Mozambique to plunder resources. Speaking in Maputo at the opening ceremony of the VII National Youth Conference yesterday, Filipe Nyusi encouraged young people not to accept being used for evil actions.President Nyusi used the youth event to present his revelations and send a message to people inside and outside the country. Addressing an audience of young people, Filipe Nyusi accused external entities and even nations of financing terrorist actions to target the government, create instability and plunder resources in Mozambique.

“In our country, we are experiencing terrorism created and financed by evil forces. If these people have weapons, the question is: where do these weapons come from?” Nyusi asked. He then argued that “they finance [terrorism] as part of this theory of disorder and political instrument. The country was moving at cruising speed; many projects were underway in Palma, at sea and on land. There were resettlements; fishermen from Palma began to earn more because there was already a market. They do this to solve their problem, causing suffering to the Mozambican populations. The objective is to perpetuate the suffering and poverty of Mozambicans, as they are not nationals, and to create conditions for the plunder of our resources”.

The President of the Republic further says that these external financiers want to recolonize the African continent in general, and Mozambique in particular. “It is a new form of colonialism. Fortunately, we hoisted the flag, we have our sovereignty, but they want to make money by creating disorder. They articulate with the aim of using youth to create instability. Unfortunately, some minds, not only of young people, are financed and used with the aim of recolonizing Africa and plundering Mozambique’s resources. They use money to manipulate the conscience of young people to join the disorder and perpetrate acts against their own homeland, against their own communities, but never against the nations of those who finance. And we wouldn’t want our young people to be paid to make trouble in another country,” Nyusi explained.

Such entities, adds Filipe Nyusi, operate within the country, trying to influence government decisions.

“We are not evading our responsibilities. Not infrequently, they appear to condemn the Defence and Security Forces when they act in defence of Mozambicans and all who reside in Mozambique. When it all started, they always complained that we weren’t looking for support, but we were still trying to understand the phenomenon. Let’s imagine it was an internal conflict, as we had in the past. Why should we turn to other countries to solve our problem? When the conclusion was reached that it was terrorism, we invited partners to help us and these same people again criticize our choices. The question we pose is: what is the profile of those who fight terrorism?”

Filipe Nyusi took the opportunity to praise the bravery of young people defending national sovereignty and fighting terrorism in the Northern Operational Theatre. “These young people are real, of all ages and genders. They join the experience of the elders to fight this evil. At the moment, actions to pursue terrorists are underway in the dense forests between the Messalo and Montepuez rivers. They are stampeding, but the forest is thick and it is not easily penetrated,” he said.

In another development, Filipe Nyusi acknowledged the difficulties the government faced in finding employment for all, but said this should not be used to sabotage actions. “Our government is fully aware of the challenges faced by Mozambican youths who live the reality of limited formal and informal employment opportunities. On the other hand, it evaluates with indignation the associated evils, such as crime, drug trafficking, excessive alcohol use and prostitution, among others.”

But these are not the only evils pointed out by Filipe Nyusi. As if in response to recent demonstrations, Nyusi recalled that vandalism does not solve problems, but slows down the country’s growth.

“We build a new road and someone comes along and burns tires and damages that same road. After that, cars can crash, cars can break down, and who benefits from that? Then we start spreading rumours. Challenges should not encourage our young people to think about engaging in illicit acts or participating in terrorist acts or other crimes tending to destroy their own country and their own future.” In speeches made this Monday at the opening of the 7th National Youth Conference, the leadership of the National Youth Council demanded more government support for youth initiatives, while representatives of the United Nations Fund for the Population expressed willingness to support the government and leverage the same.