Tobias Dai honoured at funeral in Maputo
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Agência de Informação de Moçambique
Former Mozambican Defence Minister Tobias Dai was honoured at his funeral in Maputo after his death on 2 November. President Daniel Chapo praised his role in the liberation struggle, the organisation of the armed forces and peace processes, according to Agência de Informação de Moçambique.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo paid tribute to Tobias Joaquim Dai at the funeral of the former Minister of National Defence on Saturday 7 November in Maputo. He praised his role in defence policies, the preservation of national sovereignty and the strengthening of military institutions, according to Agência de Informação de Moçambique.
Tobias Dai, who died on 2 November following an illness, joined FRELIMO at the age of 21 in January 1971 and held several command positions during the struggle for independence. After independence in 1975, he notably served as head of artillery at the general staff, provincial military commander of Manica, head of the operations directorate and army commander, according to Agência de Informação de Moçambique.
He also took part in the Rome peace negotiations and led the government representation on the joint commission responsible for training the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces. Appointed secretary-general of the Ministry of National Defence in 1995, he became minister in January 2000 and held the post until March 2008, according to Agência de Informação de Moçambique.
Tobias Dai later served as a member of the Assembly of the Republic and deputy leader of the FRELIMO parliamentary group, taking part in coordinating parliamentary work and political consultation processes, according to Agência de Informação de Moçambique.
