WELL, IT'S EARLY IN THE CENTURY...
...but nevertheless, they are calling it the "trial of the century" in Mozambique:
Corruption in developing* African democracies* is nothing new, as for example Nigeria and Mozambique's next-door neighbor Zimbabwe (where Mugabe torches the buildings of the opposition press). Nor is it in many parts of the world, including here from time to time. It is encouraging, though, that the judicial system in Mozambique is being put front and center, and also that their economy is growing, though it still has a long way to go (especially since the beneficiaries of their economic growth have been rather top-heavy . . . hmm sounds like somebody's "stimulus" package).
Hopefully this trial will come to a just conclusion, not one coerced by bribes or threats. Also, might I add that I hope whatever the verdict is, that it will not discourage those within Mozambique, and particularly Maputo, from signing my geocities guestbook. (:
*-caution, loaded words
...but nevertheless, they are calling it the "trial of the century" in Mozambique:
MAPUTO, Mozambique, Jan. 7 — Every morning, a tale of assassins and money launderers, corrupt prosecutors and looted millions transfixes this impoverished nation. The riveting drama stars the president's son as the evil mastermind behind the murder of a crusading journalist who came too close to the truth.(I suddenly had a flash in my head and remembered that Dubya basically served as "loyalty enforcer" when his poppy was president)
This story of greed, betrayal and AK-47's has supplanted the popular Brazilian soap operas on battered televisions and crackling radios in this sweltering port city. It is compelling because the characters are real. For nearly two months now, the state broadcaster has been showing live, daily coverage of a murder trial that has revealed official complicity in the looting of two of Mozambique's biggest banks.
People are calling it the trial of the century. Six men are charged in the murder of Carlos Cardoso, a prominent journalist who exposed bank fraud and the ugly underbelly of a country often hailed as one of Africa's most promising democracies. Several of the defendants stunned the nation when they testified that the wealthy son of President Joaquim Chissano promised more than $50,000 for the killing of Mr. Cardoso, who was gunned down two years ago.
Mr. Chissano's son, Nyimpine, is not on trial, and he has vehemently denied the accusations. But he was called to testify last month after the defendants accused him of ordering the murder. Nyimpine Chissano, mentioned in Mr. Cardoso's investigative reports, has since been questioned by the police after failing to convincingly explain how his signed checks ended up in the hands of one of the defendants.
Corruption in developing* African democracies* is nothing new, as for example Nigeria and Mozambique's next-door neighbor Zimbabwe (where Mugabe torches the buildings of the opposition press). Nor is it in many parts of the world, including here from time to time. It is encouraging, though, that the judicial system in Mozambique is being put front and center, and also that their economy is growing, though it still has a long way to go (especially since the beneficiaries of their economic growth have been rather top-heavy . . . hmm sounds like somebody's "stimulus" package).
Hopefully this trial will come to a just conclusion, not one coerced by bribes or threats. Also, might I add that I hope whatever the verdict is, that it will not discourage those within Mozambique, and particularly Maputo, from signing my geocities guestbook. (:
*-caution, loaded words
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