Putin recalls Soviet support for Mozambique’s independence to Chapo
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Redactor (Mozambique)
At the Russia-Africa Forum in Moscow, Vladimir Putin recalled Soviet support for Mozambique’s independence struggle and referred to Samora Machel in front of President Daniel Chapo. He described ties between the two countries as a friendship forged in the anti-colonial struggle, according to Redactor.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reminded Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Wednesday of the Soviet Union’s military and educational support for Mozambique’s struggle for independence. At the Russia-Africa Forum in Moscow, he described relations between the two countries as a “friendship of blood”, according to Redactor.
Putin said the USSR had supplied weapons and doctors to the independence movement, as well as scholarships for young Mozambicans. He also said that more than 2,000 Mozambican liberation fighters had been trained by the Soviet Union and that Russia was ready to deepen its relationship with Maputo.
The Russian leader referred to Samora Machel, the first president of independent Mozambique, and FRELIMO, the movement that fought Portuguese colonial rule. Daniel Chapo, who recently called for the truth about Samora Machel’s death to be established, attended Vladimir Putin’s statement. The call for the truth about Samora Machel’s death was published on 19 October.
The meeting comes after the announcement on 28 October of an almost doubling of trade between Russia and Mozambique. It also forms part of Daniel Chapo’s search for new economic partnerships, following his efforts to attract Brazilian capital to Mozambican gas in September.
