President Daniel Chapo has announced six new ministerial appointments as part of his ongoing government restructuring efforts. The new ministers will join Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levi’s administration, bringing the total number of cabinet members to 18. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Presidential Office in Maputo.
The newly appointed officials include:
- Nyelete Brooke Mondlane, Minister of Combatants
- Samaria dos Anjos Filemon Tovela, Minister of Education and Culture
- Ivete Ângela dos Anjos Ferrão Alane, Minister of Labour, Gender, and Social Action
- Ricardo Sengo, Minister in the Presidency for Civil House Affairs
- Fernando Rafael, Minister of Public Works, Housing, and Water Resources
- Caifadine Manasse, Minister of Youth and Sports
The critical post of Minister of Justice, Constitutional, and Religious Affairs remains unfilled, with no announcement yet on a prospective candidate.
This follows President Chapo’s January 17 appointment of Maria Benvinda Levi as Prime Minister. Levi, a former judge and Minister of Justice, is tasked with leading a reshaped government, where only Cristóvão Chume has retained his position as Minister of National Defence.
A New Structure for Governance
President Chapo’s government includes notable figures such as Paulo Chachine (Interior), Maria dos Santos Lucas (Foreign Affairs and Cooperation), and Carla Alexandra Louveira (Finance). Other key appointments include Inocêncio Impissa (State Administration and Public Service), Roberto Albino (Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries), Salim Valá (Planning and Development), Estevão Pale (Mineral Resources and Energy), and Basílio Muhate (Economy).
Américo Muchanga (Communications and Digital Transformation), João Matlombe (Transport and Logistics), and Ussene Isse (Health) are also part of the President’s first government.
In a sweeping reform agenda, President Chapo eliminated several ministries and state secretariats on January 16. This included the dissolution of the Ministries of Economy and Finance, Transport and Communications, and Culture and Tourism, as well as three state secretariats for Youth and Employment, Sports, and Higher Education. New ministries, such as Finance, Youth and Sports, and Communications and Digital Transformation, were established to reflect Chapo’s vision for a more streamlined government.
Promises of Reform and Modernization
During his January 15 inauguration, President Chapo outlined ambitious plans to modernize Mozambique’s governance. These include reducing the number of ministries, digitizing public services, and combating corruption. He also pledged to reconfigure the roles of deputy ministers, state secretaries, and permanent secretaries while reviewing public leaders’ privileges and the state’s privatization program.
The restructuring signals a significant shift in Mozambique’s political landscape, with Chapo’s administration focused on efficiency, transparency, and national development. As the new ministers assume their roles, all eyes will be on the government’s ability to deliver on its promises and chart a new course for the nation.