Mozambican president calls for free movement with Portugal and recalls the role of former colonies

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo today called for free movement between Mozambique and Portugal, alluding to their shared history, and recalled that the struggles for independence of the former Portuguese colonies “were decisive” in the “democratic emancipation” of the then “metropolis”.

“These struggles were not aimed at the Portuguese people, but rather at the fascist colonial regime that oppressed us, both us Africans and the Portuguese people themselves. Therefore, victory belongs to all of us. During the national liberation struggle, this awareness became rooted among the fighters and the masses, which allowed for a clear definition of the enemy, which was the Portuguese fascist colonial regime and not the Portuguese people,” emphasized Chapo, in his official speech at the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Mozambican independence.

Highlighting the presence of representatives from Portuguese-speaking African countries at these ceremonies, at the Machava Stadium, on the outskirts of Maputo, in this case the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and the President of the National Assembly of Angola, Carolina Cerqueira, Daniel Chapo also highlighted Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portuguese President.

“Our brother, who for the most part is also a citizen of Mozambique. He says publicly that Mozambique is his second homeland. Thank you very much for your presence,” said Chapo, addressing Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

“He lived intensely the shared history of Mozambique and Portugal. He loves both countries, Mozambique and Portugal. That is why he is here today,” highlighted the Mozambican President, expressing his objective to the Portuguese President: “We want an ever-greater rapprochement between Mozambique and Portugal. We want free movement between citizens of both countries, in both directions, because we are two peoples who are brothers and friends forever.”

“Your presence at this ceremony, Mr. President Marcelo, makes us very proud, because it raises to the highest level our historical, cultural and friendly ties, forged since the times of Vasco da Gama and Camões, who also passed through this land”, concluded Daniel Chapo.

Mozambique celebrates 50 years of independence today, with the main ceremony in Maputo, led by the President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, and attended by several heads of state, including that of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The central ceremonies take place at the historic Machava Stadium, the site where the country's first President, Samora Machel, proclaimed independence in the early hours of 25 June 1975, following a struggle against the Portuguese colonial regime that began on 25 September 1964.

In this process, Daniel Chapo – the first head of state of Mozambique born after independence – also highlighted in his speech the “vision” of Eduardo Mondlane (1920 – 1969), historical founder of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), who led the anti-colonial struggle.

In addition to the official speech by the Mozambican President, today's ceremony included military parades, cultural moments, a message from representatives of citizens who are turning 50 years old (the same period as independence) and a speech by the leader of Podemos, the largest opposition party.

Tens of thousands of Mozambicans watched the event at the Machava stadium, which has an official capacity of 45,000 people, and abroad, which was also marked by the arrival of the unity flame, after traveling across the country since April 7. The flame was used at that moment by the head of state to light the stadium's cauldron, with the support of former presidents Joaquim Chissano, Armando Guebuza and Filipe Nyusi.