Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Mozambique: Narcotics links tarnish ruling Frelimo

A US-sanctioned narcotics kingpin's finance for the governing party complicates commercial and diplomatic relations
The appearance of Mohamed Bashir Suleiman – designated a 'drugs kingpin' by the United States – at the banquet of a local business association on 18 September has infuriated friends of Filipe Nyussi, presidential candidate of the governing Frente de Libertação de Moçambique . This is because the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique ( CTA), the organisers of the banquet, invited Bashir to the event and placed him at the top table, just a couple of seats away from Nyussi. As the CTA banquet at the Indy Village complex in Maputo turned out to be a fundraiser for Frelimo's election campaign, Bashir's attendance sent a clear message: that he remains an important financier of the party, despite US reports that his fortune derives from drug smuggling, and that he has strong endorsement from a powerful faction within Frelimo.


Source: Africa Confidential

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