Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano will receive the Career Award on Saturday in Lisbon at the seventh edition of the "Prémios da Lusofonia" Gala, its foundation announced today in Maputo.

According to a statement from the Joaquim Chissano Foundation, quoted by Lusa, the former head of state of Mozambique (from November 1986 to February 2005) will be awarded at this gala "in recognition of his important role in building peace, reconciliation, reconstruction, democratization and development of the Republic of Mozambique".

The foundation recalls that the annual event, organized by the Lusophony Awards Gala, is described as a moment of celebration of art, culture and citizenship within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

"The award of the 'Lusofonia Prize 2023 - Career Prize' to Joaquim Alberto Chissano is the corollary of a life dedicated to the Mozambican people, to the global public good and to Portuguese-speaking citizenship," explains the organization of this gala, in information compiled by Lusa.

Joaquim Chissano was born in Chibuto, Gaza province, on October 22, 1939 and arrived in Portugal in 1961 to study medicine. However, his actions in relation to the colonial regime in Mozambique meant that he had to leave for France.

In 1962, in Tanzania, he was one of the personalities involved in founding the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party).

After April 25 in Portugal, Joaquim Chissano played an important role in the negotiations between Frelimo and the Portuguese government, which led to Mozambique's independence.

In the transitional government in Mozambique, he became Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the government led by Samora Machel.

In 1986, Joaquim Chissano took over as Prime Minister and on November 6th of the same year as President of the Republic, the second in the country's history, following the death of the first Mozambican head of state, Samora Machel. (Lusa)