The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, yesterday relieved Leonardo Simão of his post as special ambassador to promote the country's candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council, a statement said.

"Leonardo Simão's resignation follows the conclusion of the mission that culminated in Mozambique's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council," the statement said.

Simão was appointed to the post he left yesterday in September 2021 with the aim of promoting Mozambique's candidacy to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a position the country achieved last June with 192 votes.

Leonardo Simão was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and of Health in the governments of President Joaquim Chissano, who headed the Mozambican state between 1986 and 2005.