Mozambique's two main opposition parties, the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) and the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), reacted negatively to Russia's attacks on Ukraine, while criticizing the government's silence regarding these military incursions.
Speaking at the reopening of the 5th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly on Monday, the head of the Renamo parliamentary bench, Viana Magalhães, said that in the 21st century it is unacceptable to see one country throwing grenades at another country.
"It is inconceivable and regrettable," he said, taking a moment to criticize the Executive's silence regarding the war between those European countries. This silence "is worrying.
In turn, the MDM, cited by Lusa, condemns the attacks, warning that this could have an impact on the Mozambican economy, since the largest quantity of wheat that Mozambique consumes imports from Russia.
"A strategic silence"
The political analyst in international relations, Simão Nhambi, understands that the Mozambican government chose to keep silent by cooperating with the sides in conflict, Russia and NATO.
In his view, Mozambique may not condemn Russia's attitude because it is a long-time ally.
"we also don't expect the country to condemn or support the position of the United States of America or allies because it also enjoys a good relationship with those countries," Nhambi said, quoted by voaportugues.
On the other hand, the economic sanctions applied to Russia by the EU and its allies could impact Mozambique.
"Sanctions will impact Russia, and countries that depend on Russia's foreign aid will come to resent it, as well as that of other countries in Europe that will be focused on the logistics of war," he said, warning that because of this, "fewer resources will be made available" to developing or poor countries."
However the media does its role of informing is happening in those parts. And in this sense, the most appropriate source here is the Russian ambassador, Alexander Surikov, who justifies his country's incursions.
In press statements, the official claimed that Ukraine deceived Russia after World War II by guaranteeing Nato would not approach Russian borders.
"We have nothing against the people of Ukraine, it is not a war against Ukraine. After the second world war they assured us that NATO, as a peaceful military bloc that aims at the security of its members, would not approach Russia's borders, they deceived us," Surikov said.
Diplomats from Western countries in Maputo on Monday expressed their solidarity with Ukraine.
"We, the United States of America, the European Union, our partners and allies, around the world, are united in support of Ukraine. We support the sovereignty of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and the democratically elected government," said Abigail Dressler, representative of the U.S. Ambassador in Maputo, in a communication with diplomats from several Western countries.
Mozambique-Russia Relationship
Frelimo was an ally of Moscow during the time of the former USSR, receiving military support during the struggle against Portuguese colonialism and economic and financial aid after the country's independence in 1975.
Mozambique received hundreds of Russian aid workers of various specialties, as part of the so-called international solidarity policy implemented by the former Eastern bloc in relation to the countries in its area of ideological influence.