Mozambique’s “hidden debts”: heavy prison sentences for three people close to the government

Soukaina Sghir
Soukaina Sghir
2 Min Read
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After almost 10 years of the huge corruption scandal known as the “hidden debt”, which caused a serious financial crisis in Mozambique, a special court has given its verdict. Three people close to Mozambique’s government, including the son of a former president, were sentenced on Wednesday to 12 years in prison.

The trial started last year and lasted for seven months, and the reading of the verdict for the 19 defendants lasted a week. The scandal concerns secret loans of two billion dollars granted by foreign banks to Mozambican public companies and guaranteed by the State without the approval of the Parliament.

Judge Efigenio Baptista said in delivering the verdict that “The crimes committed have had effects that will last for generations.

Furthermore, The country was blocked, financial aid to the state was suspended, and poverty increased for thousands of Mozambicans,” saying that the biggest culprits in the case were the former head of state intelligence and security, Gregorio Leao, and the former head of economic intelligence, Antonio do Rosario.

Ndambi Guebuza, the eldest son of a former head of state Armando Guebuza, who was found guilty of facilitating his father, was given the same sentence.

Jihane Rmili

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