Conciliatory security commentary in Mozambique, and additional legislative debate needed on security laws in Zimbabwe are actions from September 10 that may emerge to become significant factors impacting geomarket developments in Africa.
Mozambique: The national police commander stated he was unaware of any police action against Mozambique National Resistance militia.
Significance: The comment by the commander-general of the Mozambique Republic Police is a conciliatory effort intended to contain inflammatory rhetoric by Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) military junta leader Mariano Nhongo. The Mozambican police commander added that hostile rhetoric from the militia is an internal matter to the opposition party, though criminals threatening order and security would be confronted. The comments follow a claim by Nhongo that Mozambique defense and security forces raided a RENAMO junta camp, an alleged raid that follows three reported security incidents targeting civilian and government vehicle movements and personnel in districts near the opposition’s Gorongosa mountainous headquarters.
Zimbabwe: The Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill may soon receive presidential assent, but the Freedom of Information and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bills need additional parliamentary debate.
Significance: Several legislative bills are before the Zimbabwean parliament. The thrust of the parliamentary activity is to create an enabling regulatory environment for domestic and foreign business to grow. No matter, however, that the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration proposes to create a one-stop shop to facilitate business growth through the proposed Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Bill, that the Zimbabwean government has not already signed into law the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill and the twin informational bills, two notable legislative bills intended to repeal existing and adverse security-oriented laws that are known factors contributing to the continuation of foreign sanctions on Zimbabwean officials, dampens political confidence in the Zimbabwean economy.
Other items of note:
-Six Burkinabé policemen were killed September 10 during an ambush at Djibo in Burkina Faso’s northern Soum province.
-Côte d’Ivoire opposition parties the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) and the Ivoirian Popular Front (FPI) may convene a joint national rally in the Abidjan suburb of Marcory on September 14.
-Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki led a working visit September 8-9 to the United Arab Emirates.
-Nigeria will lower its crude oil benchmark price to $55 per barrel from $60 per barrel.
-Moody’s lowered its South Africa 2019 economic growth forecast to 0.7% from 1.0%.