Maputo, June 25, 2026 (Lusa) - President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique called for a resolute fight on Thursday against corruption and violent extremism to ensure the country’s economic independence and development, as Mozambique marks 51 years of national independence.
“Economic independence also requires ethics and public integrity, as well as collective responsibility; we must therefore resolutely promote all the values that strengthen the state and advance national development, particularly accountability, which builds trust,” said Daniel Chapo in Maputo during Mozambique’s Independence Day celebrations.
He praised the efforts of the Defence and Security Forces in promoting stability against violent extremism in the province of Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique since 2017, whilst also highlighting the role of national unity and peace in national development.
“We therefore call on all Mozambicans to make honesty, integrity, patriotism, competence and responsibility non-negotiable values in our national life,” added Chapo.
The Mozambican President also advocated prioritising the proper allocation and use of public resources to create opportunities for the people, as well as “empathy for collective well-being, which strengthens the nation”, noting further that nations become “truly sovereign, independent and free” when they rely on their own income, wealth and support.
“People achieve sustainable prosperity when they produce for their own self-sufficiency and for exports that generate foreign exchange for our country. Young people fully realise their dreams when they have the opportunity to create, innovate and transform national resources into collective prosperity for our people,” he said.
The president presided over the celebration of the country’s 51st anniversary of independence in Maputo, and the occasion also featured the presentation of honours to figures who have distinguished themselves in the country’s development and in the struggle for national liberation.
Angola's president also congratulated Mozambique on its 51 years of independence, a country with which Angola shares strong bonds of friendship and deep understanding at all levels of domestic and international political life.
João Lourenço, in a message addressed to his Mozambican counterpart, Daniel Chapo, conveyed, on behalf of the Angolan government and in his own name, “the warmest congratulations to the people of Mozambique and Mozambique’s government”.
Mozambique’s independence followed a struggle against the Portuguese colonial regime that began on 25 September 1964, and the country’s first president, Samora Machel, proclaimed it in the early hours of 25 June 1975.
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