‘Chissano’s exit will not hurt Mozambique reform’

JOHANNESBURG – Mozambique will stay the path of economic reforms that have fuelled its growth in the past decade after the exit of President Joaquim Chissano later this year, the World Bank’s vice president for Africa said.

Callisto Madavo told Reuters in Johannesburg yesterday that he had met the main Mozambique presidential candidates ahead of December general elections and both had pledged that the country would stay the course of reforms. Chissano will step down after 18 years in office after the December 1 and 2 presidential and parliamentary elections.His preferred successor is ruling Frelimo party candidate Armando Guebuza, who faces a stiff challenge from veteran opposition politician Afonso Dhlakama.”The expectation is that whoever takes over from President Chissano would want to see the progress Mozambique has made continue.I have met both candidates and I believe there will be a great deal of continuity,” Madavo said.”Chissano’s departure will not hurt work there,” he said.Mozambique, the subject of one of the biggest World Bank programmes on the continent, has maintained average growth rates of 10 percent in the past decade, and is often cited as an excellent pupil of the Bank and International Monetary Fund.A 16-year civil war there that ended in 1992 destroyed much of its infrastructure and its 18 million people remain largely poor despite the impressive growth figures, analysts said.-Nampa-ReutersChissano will step down after 18 years in office after the December 1 and 2 presidential and parliamentary elections.His preferred successor is ruling Frelimo party candidate Armando Guebuza, who faces a stiff challenge from veteran opposition politician Afonso Dhlakama.”The expectation is that whoever takes over from President Chissano would want to see the progress Mozambique has made continue.I have met both candidates and I believe there will be a great deal of continuity,” Madavo said.”Chissano’s departure will not hurt work there,” he said.Mozambique, the subject of one of the biggest World Bank programmes on the continent, has maintained average growth rates of 10 percent in the past decade, and is often cited as an excellent pupil of the Bank and International Monetary Fund.A 16-year civil war there that ended in 1992 destroyed much of its infrastructure and its 18 million people remain largely poor despite the impressive growth figures, analysts said.-Nampa-Reuters