<\/p>\n
BONGANI HANS<\/p>\n
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has justified his decision to attend the inauguration of new Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, whose election was marred by allegations of result rigging and public violence.<\/p>\n
The DA, which is in the Government of National Unity with Ramaphosa\u2019s ANC, had criticised Ramaphosa for attending the event in Maputo on January 16.<\/p>\n
In response to an inquiry, Ramaphosa\u2019s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Chapo\u2019s inauguration provided an opportunity for the Mozambicans to work together toward peace, democracy and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that regard, President Ramaphosa is encouraged by President Chapo’s stated commitment to engage in dialogue with opposition parties.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’ll always be a difference in the approaches of those whose role is to criticise compared to those with a responsibility of leading and contributing solutions to situations that may seem intractable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
It was reported that since the October elections, at least 300 people were killed in Mozambique when Venancio Mondlane, of the opposition Podemos party, clashed with police as they were protesting against the allegedly rigged results. Another opposition party, Remano, also boycotted the inauguration.<\/p>\n
Only Ramaphosa, who was accompanied by International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola, and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Guinea-bissau\u2019s President Umaro Sissoco Embal\u00f3 showed up in Maputo while other Southern African Development Community member states were represented by juniors.<\/p>\n
DA MP Emma Louise Powell described Ramaphosa\u2019s attendance as undermining South Africa\u2019s role in championing democracy and human rights in the region and called on him to clarify South Africa\u2019s position on Mozambique\u2019s political crisis.<\/p>\n
Magwenya said Ramaphosa recognised Mozambique\u2019s strategic position to South Africa\u2019s socio-economic and security interests.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that context, the President has the responsibility to ensure the strengthening of bilateral ties, which are important in sustaining political cooperation between South Africa and Mo\u00e7ambique.<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Africa and Mo\u00e7ambique must work together in enhancing security and defence cooperation, focusing on effectively addressing transnational crimes that undermine national security.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also vital that both countries focus on boosting economic cooperation,\u201d said Magwenya.<\/p>\n
He said there was a large scope of economic opportunities that could significantly increase two-way trade and investments.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstability in Mo\u00e7ambique impacts South Africa the most,\u201d he said .<\/p>\n<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BONGANI HANS PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has justified his decision to attend the inauguration of new Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, whose election was marred by allegations of result rigging and public violence. The DA, which is in the Government of National Unity with Ramaphosa\u2019s ANC, had criticised Ramaphosa for attending the event in Maputo on January […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[5725,8130,311,7675,3273,426],"class_list":["post-229229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-politics","tag-attend","tag-decision","tag-defends","tag-inauguration","tag-mozambique","tag-ramaphosa"],"yoast_head":"\n