FILIPE NYUSI

Filipe Nyusi was born in Namau, a village in the Mueda District of Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, and hails from the Makonde ethnic group. His parents, both veterans of the FRELIMO liberation movement, played a significant role in his early life. As the Mozambican War of Independence erupted, Nyusi was taken to Tanzania for safety, where he began his education at the FRELIMO Primary School in Tunduru. He continued his studies at the FRELIMO schools in Mariri and Beira, before joining FRELIMO at the age of 14, in 1973, to receive political and military training in Nachingwea, Tanzania. Nyusi later pursued mechanical engineering at the Antonín Zápotocký Military Academy in Czechoslovakia, graduating in 1990.

Before entering government service, Nyusi worked for the Mozambique Ports and Railways Authority (CFM), where he was appointed executive director of the northern division in 1995. He was also active in various leadership roles, including serving as President of Clube Ferroviário de Nampula from 1993 to 2002 and as a lecturer at the Universidade Pedagógica. In 2007, he joined CFM's board of directors and also received further training in management in countries such as India, South Africa, and the United States.

Nyusi's political career in government began when he was appointed Minister of Defence in March 2008, succeeding Tobias Joaquim Dai. His tenure began in the aftermath of a deadly arms explosion in Maputo, for which his predecessor faced significant criticism. In 2012, he was elected to the Central Committee of FRELIMO, Mozambique's ruling party.

In March 2014, Nyusi was selected as FRELIMO's candidate for the presidential election. Though considered relatively unknown at the time, his close association with outgoing President Armando Guebuza played a significant role in his political rise. Nyusi won the election, securing 68% of the vote in the second round, and was inaugurated as President of Mozambique on January 15, 2015. He was re-elected in 2019 with a significant majority, despite opposition claims of electoral fraud.

During his presidency, Nyusi faced challenges, including rising poverty rates and an increase in violence against opposition leaders and journalists. Despite these issues, he focused on promoting peace and reconciliation, notably through dialogue with the opposition party RENAMO. His efforts culminated in the signing of the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation in 2019, marking a significant step toward resolving longstanding conflicts in Mozambique.

Nyusi's presidency has also been marked by controversy, notably the "hidden debts" scandal, in which he was accused of corruption related to illicit loans taken by state-owned companies. These loans, intended for tuna fishing and maritime security, resulted in an economic crisis after they were revealed in 2016. Legal proceedings in various countries have implicated Nyusi and other officials, although the Mozambican judiciary's independence has been questioned.

Nyusi's government has also been accused of extrajudicial killings and the use of death squads to target opposition figures and activists. Despite these accusations, he has remained in power, continuing to lead the country through periods of economic difficulty and political unrest.

Nyusi is married to Isaura Nyusi, and they have four children.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipe_Nyusi