Guebuza Ends ‘Open Presidency’ in Maputo

7 April 2011

Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza declared on Wednesday that it is possible to mitigate the cost of living, but that the government cannot do anything about the world market price of fuel or of grain.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of his “open presidency” in Maputo city, Guebuza insisted that if Mozambican use their skills to exploit the country’s resources, then the cost of living could be reduced.

But since the country does not produce oil, and only grows a small amount of wheat, the government can do little to halt the rise in the price of these commodities.

Guebuza said he is concerned at the high level of unemployment in Maputo, and admitted that the city still faces serious crime problems.

At a rally earlier in the day, in Albazine neighbourhood, Guebuza urged young people and adolescents to abandon crime, drugs and alcohol, and instead dedicate themselves to activities that are useful to society.

He noted that some young people, after consuming large amounts of alcohol or drugs, even threaten or assault their parents.

“How can a young man attack the parents who brought him up, and accuse them of being witches?”, asked the President. He was referring to recent cases in which elderly people, usually women, have been attacked and even killed by members of their own families, after they have been accused of witchcraft.

But Guebuza also said it is in families that children should be taught how to live in a caring society, and parents should set an example.

“We have to humanise our society”, he declared.

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