Good afternoon. The electoral campaign formally ended yesterday. Today and tomorrow are “quiet days” for “reflection”. But the government is ensuring people have plenty to reflect on, especially in key municipalities of Nampula, Nacala, and Mocímboa da Praia.
Also in today’s Daily Briefing: Some shocking tales from the election trail; major sugar deal thrown into doubt; a potential buyer for Galp’s Area 4 stake; and who came off worse in the Mozambique-UBS deal? Also a new section highlighting stories we didn’t include in today’s newsletter, and why.
President Filipe Nyusi was in Mocímboa today, inaugurating the rehabilitated port and aerodrome there — handy timing for the Frelimo government which wants to show it is in charge and making life better in the area. We will have a full story on this event for our subscribers tomorrow.
Similarly well-timed events have taken place in Nacala, with the inauguration at the weekend of a Japanese-financed project to upgrade that port. One wonders if the governments of Japan, and of Malawi and Zambia whose presidents were also present, realised the danger of the event being politicised, when they agreed to participate.
