Scandal of "hidden debt" in Mozambique: 11 people close to power sentenced

Ndambi Guebuza (in orange pants), the son of former President Armando Guebuza during the announcement of the verdict, in Mozambique, December 7, 2022. REUTERS - STRINGER

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

The verdict was rendered on Wednesday, December 7 in the so-called "hidden debt" corruption case.

Of the 19 defendants tried in this case, 11 close to power, including the son of former president Armando Guebuza, were sentenced to prison terms. 

Advertising

Read more

The trial, broadcast live on radio and television, lasted seven months in a court specially set up in the courtyard of a prison in Maputo.

The scandal, which broke in 2016, plunged the country into its worst financial crisis since independence. 

The case dates back to 2013, when secret state-guaranteed loans of $2 billion were made to state-owned companies by foreign banks.

Officially, for purchases of fishing vessels and military patrol boats.

The 19 defendants, all close to power,

were tried for blackmail, forgery, embezzlement and money laundering.

The former head of intelligence and state security and the ex-boss of economic intelligence were sentenced to 12 years in prison, like the son of former president Armando Guebuza.

was found guilty of having played the facilitators with his father in exchange for 33 million dollars.

► To read also: Hidden debt of Mozambique: the IMF demands explanations

“The country has been blocked” 

The current head of state, Filipe Nyusi, implicated in several testimonies, was not worried by the courts.

Despite several audits conducted, it was not possible to determine what was purchased with the loan money.

The judge considered that “

”.

Other procedures are still ongoing in Switzerland, the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• mozambique

• Justice