Ssekandi joins African leaders at Mozambique President inauguration

President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi was yesterday sworn in office as the fourth President of the Republic of Mozambique for his second term in office as President of the southeast African Republic.

President Nyusi of the ruling Frelimo party who won by a large margin in the last ended October election was sworn in at Maputo independence Square before a cheering crowd of 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, Botswana, Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Zambia Edgar Lungu, Joao Lourenco of Angola and President Marcelo Rebelo de-Sousa of Portugal.

In his inaugural speech, President 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  to consolidate the culture of transparency and accountability

President 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 that his Government is ready 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 environments.

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