President Filipe Nyusi said yesterday that democracy and freedom of expression exist in Africa "because governments allow it", considering that people are free to express their opinions.

"There are these movements because the governments are allowing them," said the head of state, during a press conference at the Presidency, moments after a meeting with his Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema.

According to Filipe Nyusi, freedom of expression in African countries took shape during the years of independence, stressing that the continent is going through a "new era".

"The word democracy didn't exist [...] today people can speak as they wish, freely," stressed Filipe Nyusi, adding that there are cases of African countries that "exercise freedom of expression better" when compared to nations that have always been held up as international examples.

Filipe Nyusi reiterated that the key is for all opinions to be debated in an environment of peace and stability, pointing to these two elements as the condition for the development of African nations.

"Politics is done in politics. It's no longer fashionable to make politics out of fighting or war, people should talk," said the head of state.

The head of state's statements come at a time when the Mozambican authorities continue to be criticized for the police repression of peaceful marches that were being organized by young people in homage to the Mozambican social intervention rapper Azagaia, who died of an illness on March 9.

The police repression, which took place mainly in Maputo, Beira and Nampula, left several people injured and earned the condemnation of several organizations that warned of the unjustified police violence against peaceful and unarmed groups, classifying it as one of the most visible signs of the limitations on freedom of expression and demonstration in Mozambique. (Lusa)