Oxford Economics Africa considers that the convictions are a sign of confidence in Mozambique's judicial system, but that doubts remain about the involvement of the former and current President of the Republic.

Oxford Economics Africa considered that the conclusion of the trial into Mozambique's hidden debts gives a sign of confidence in the judicial system, but maintains doubts about the involvement of the former and current President of the Republic.

"The conclusion of the media trial with convictions, along with the 12-year sentences handed down to Ndambi Guebuza, Gregório Leão and António Carlos do Rosário will send a strong message and help restore faith in Mozambique's judicial system, but doubts remain about the involvement of former President Guebuza and indeed also current President Nyusi," said analyst Louw Nel.

Speaking to Lusa, the analyst from the African branch of the British consultancy Oxford Economics recalled that "Filipe Nyusi was Minister of Defense at the time [of the debt contraction] and there has been a lot of speculation that he knew about the fraud".

"In fact, Guebuza tried to blame his successor in February when he testified that, although he was not responsible for creating the loans in question, the problem lies with Nyusi," he added.

The criticism, he said, "did not cause permanent damage, since Nyusi was re-elected leader of Frelimo in September", but the fact that he will not be the party's candidate in 2024 and that the criticism was public "shows that the disagreement between the two and the scandal of the hidden debts may not have had the final chapter in the reading of the sentence" this week. (Lusa)