The mayor of Quelimane, Manuel de Araújo, said today that the country "is on fire" due to a lack of justice, and also promised to bring the provincial commanders of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique and the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) to justice.

"This country is burning because justice doesn't work. We have corrupt judges and prosecutors. That's why there's impunity, those who steal aren't punished. The people are getting tired," he said.

He recalled that the UIR commander has already been prosecuted, but that it is being forgotten by the prosecutor Fred Jamal. The case concerns Manuel de Araújo's arrest last year.

"We want that commander tried and convicted," he said.

The mayor said that he had obtained inside information about who ordered police officers to fire tear gas at the residents who welcomed him at Quelimane Airport.

"We're very concerned about the actions of the police. We're going to take the provincial police commander and the UIR commander to court," he said.

He noted that the marches in Quelimane have been peaceful, but that the police confuse this with passivity.

"If we give orders, it won't do any good. Mr. Commander, we're asking, but we're warning you, don't provoke us. We want peace, but if you provoke us, we can also give orders and we'll see if those bullets of yours are going to kill us all," he warned.

According to D'Araújo, who was speaking on the sidelines of the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the city's Central Market, the opposition's development projects are not to the liking of the ruling Frelimo party.

"They're not happy. They want to create disorder so that they can then declare a State of Emergency and President Nyusi can remain President of the Republic and not go to jail over the hidden debts. We know what the plan is," he said.