MOZAMBIQUE: Positive reaction to Guebuza's pledge to fight corruption

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 3 Feb 2005 (IRIN) - Reaction to President Armando Guebuza's inaugural speech this week has mostly been positive, with Mozambicans agreeing that poverty, corruption and crime are the key challenges facing the country.

"It was good speech, and was in line with what he said in his campaign - what we hope now is that this is not only a speech," Lorenco Jossias, editor of the Independent Zambezia newspaper, told IRIN on Thursday.

Guebuza, who was sworn in as Mozambique's new president on Wednesday, pledged an "unrelenting fight against poverty".

However, most Mozambicans acknowledge that eradicating poverty is a long haul. Although the 16-year civil war ended almost 15 years ago, it devastated the countryside, where 75 percent of the population live. Increasing corruption and rising crime have further undermined the economy.

Most people IRIN spoke to say they believed Guebuza would take a tough stance against corruption, and were pleased that the newly elected president had chosen to highlight the issue.

Corruption and crime dominate the headlines in Mozambique, especially after the assassination in 2000 of the respected investigative journalist, Carlos Cardoso, in which former president Jaoquim Chissano's son, Nyimpine, was implicated.

Cardoso was investigating the disappearance of US $14 million from the state-owned Commercial Bank of Mozambique when he was shot in his car in the capital, Maputo.

Guebuza stressed that crime and corruption were "insidious enemies" that "present themselves as alternative means of reaching wealth".

Mozambicans were also hopeful that more attention would be turned to boosting small-business initiatives.

"I liked what he said about supporting the small and medium entrepreneur - I am one," said Jossias. "I hope measures will be put in place to help businesses like ours."

Carlos Fernandes, a sociology graduate, was less convinced that Guebuza would be able to deliver on his promise to support small and medium enterprises. "I am very sceptical - Mozambique has restrictive agreements with the World Bank and IMF [International Monetary Fund]. Our local enterprises are just disappearing - look at our textile industry - we are competing with cheap textiles from India, for example. There should be more control and fairer negotiations."

The president added his commitment to public service reform. "Guebuza was also clear that the inertia of the public servants has to stop. I hope in one year [or] six months we can see a change in their attitude," said Jossias.

The public service has been widely criticized for its red tape and apathy, but Guebuza promised, "We will strive for a public service that encourages development through greater productivity of its officials, whose key function is to support, help and facilitate transactions of individuals and institutions."

[ENDS]