Mozambique's Nyusi sworn-in for fourth term

President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi was on Wednesday sworn in as the fourth President of the Republic of Mozambique for his second term.

President Nyusi of the ruling Frelimo Party who won by a large margin in last October's election was sworn in at Maputo Independence Square before a cheering crowd of his supporters, several heads of state and government, foreign delegations and dignitaries.

The Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi joined several other African leaders including President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Mogkweetsi Masisi of Botswana, Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Zambia's Edgar Lungu, Joao Lourenco of Angola and Marcelo Rebelo de-Sousa of Portugal.

In his inaugural speech, Nyusi outlined priorities for his administration in the next five years including fighting corruption in all forms and demand for integrity, ethics and professionalism in all sectors of public service and a to consolidate the culture of transparency and accountability.

Nyusi pledged to work for a peaceful Mozambique but added that the sovereignty of his country and the dignity of its people will not be negotiated or mortgaged and called for the participation of the citizens in the process of governance which he said will be achieved if all citizens enjoy equal opportunities of access to basic services, justice and national resources.

He also reiterated his government's readiness to engage in discussion and free debate respecting opinions and freedoms of each citizen or grouping to facilitate common understanding, respect and upholding of individual aspirations and freedoms.

President Nyusi reflected that the past five years the people of Mozambique witnessed several challenges including the drought in the South and the floods in the North as well as the severity of the two cyclones that raged havoc and devastation of lives and property.

He also said that his administration will be dedicated to the improvement of education services by focusing on knowledge production, training of teachers and improving the working conditions of teachers and learning environment.

He also pledged to implement the one district, one hospital programme with a view to improving quality and specialised healthcare alongside human resources training and also the creation of jobs for the youth.