This had been widely expected, since the Central Committee of the ruling Frelimo Party on 1 March elected Nyusi as the Party’s candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for 15 October.
Freed of government responsibilities, Nyusi will now be able to dedicate his time to party work, and to ensuring that his name and face are well known throughout the country in the run-up to the elections.
To replace Nyusi, Guebuza promoted the Deputy Minister of Defence, Agostinho Mondlane, to full minister.
Guebuza also relieved Eliseu Machava of his duties as governor of the northern province of Cabo Delgado. The Central Committee had appointed Machava as the new Frelimo General Secretary, a post which is incompatible with that of provincial governor.
Guebuza appointed Abdul Razak Noormahomed, formerly the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, as the new governor of Cabo Delgado.
Post published in: Africa News