Mozambique's National Council for the Fight Against AIDS (CNCS) has reported significant progress in the fight against AIDS over the past 20 years, with approximately one million deaths and 900,000 new infections prevented between 2000 and 2022. Despite these achievements, the country still faces high mortality and infection rates, with over 80,000 deaths and 2.4 million people living with HIV. The Zambézia province has the highest number of new cases. The success has been supported by international donors such as Italy's Community of Sant'Egidio and the United States' PEPFAR. However, with potential discontinuation of donor support, Health Minister Armindo Tiago emphasizes the need for a transition roadmap to maintain and sustain these health gains.

Mozambican MPs are faced with approving their own salary reductions, a proposal that has caused widespread dissatisfaction and put the agenda on hold since Monday. Following the IMF's remarks on public sector wage spending, the Mozambican government decided to adjust the top of the wage chain to ensure sustainability and balance in public finances. This includes reducing the remuneration of all members of state bodies, including ministers, judges, prosecutors, and MPs. MPs are set to lose 32.5% of their monthly income, while ministers will lose about $812. The parliamentary debate on the issue was scheduled for Monday but was postponed to Tuesday due to the MPs' discontent with the proposal.

Frelimo, the majority parliamentary group in Mozambique's Assembly of the Republic, has proposed a constitutional amendment to remove the fixed date for district elections set for 2024, arguing that political, economic, administrative, and legal conditions are not met. The opposition, including Renamo and MDM, criticizes the move as a blow to democracy and contrary to the current Constitution. The district elections were part of the 2019 peace agreement commitments made by President Filipe Nyusi and the late Renamo leader Ossufo Momade. Mozambique is scheduled to hold municipal elections in October this year and general elections in 2024.

Mozambique's government and Renamo have officially completed the disarmament, demilitarization, and reintegration of former Renamo guerrillas, marking the full implementation of the Maputo peace agreements signed four years ago. The ceremony, attended by Presidents Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, and UN representative Cristina Duarte, was praised as an example of peaceful conflict resolution. However, Renamo leader Ossufo Momade warned of prevailing risks, particularly issues overshadowing the electoral process, such as alleged irregularities in the recent electoral registration.

A 47-year-old Mozambican businesswoman of Asian descent was kidnapped outside her company in Maputo, despite government assurances in parliament about combating kidnappings. The Criminal Investigation Police (SERNIC) is investigating the case. Official data shows 28 kidnappings of businesspeople or their relatives since 2021, mostly in Maputo and Matola, with 15 cases resolved. The anti-kidnapping brigade announced by the President over two years ago remains inactive, drawing criticism from Renamo spokesperson Arnaldo Chalaua. Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane spoke of ongoing specialized training and equipment mobilization to improve the unit's operational capacity.

Social activists and political analysts are questioning the transparency of the Independent Commission announced by the French multinational Total Energy to assess the security and humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique. The commission, led by Jean Christophe Rufin, former French ambassador to Senegal and Gambia, is expected to deliver a report by the end of the month, which will inform decisions on resuming natural gas exploration activities in Palma district. The Human Rights Defenders Network disputes the commission, citing biases, and insists that such a commission should be established by appropriate bodies with state-created terms of reference. Political analyst Gil Aníbal emphasizes the need for local actors, including the government and communities, to be included in the commission to avoid an unrepresentative report. There are also concerns about who will bear the costs of the commission's work.

Filipe Nyusi began the penultimate year of his second term as President of Mozambique amidst mixed opinions about his performance. In his self-assessment, Nyusi refrained from claiming victories but mentioned that the impact of his actions would be seen in the medium to long term. He emphasized peace as a key battle and noted achievements in that area. However, citizens in Maputo are divided, with some recognizing improvements in water supply and electrification, while others point out setbacks in human rights and the ongoing conflict in Cabo Delgado. Analyst Edilson Manjate suggests that Nyusi's greatest legacy could be leaving the country without conflict.

The Mozambican Medical Association, led by President Milton Tatie, announced the suspension of a strike that had been ongoing since the beginning of the month. The decision, influenced by public appeal and the President of the Republic, aims to ensure a peaceful festive season with adequate medical care. The suspension will last for one month starting from the following Friday, which is four days before the initially planned end of the strike. Tatie emphasized that their demands remain unmet and that they will reassess their position after 30 days.

Mozambique is grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding, the worst since 2000, prompting calls for a national dialogue on water management and sustainable development. The country, which receives over half of its annual surface water flow from neighboring countries, is prone to natural disasters, especially floods. Recent floods have resulted in 113 deaths and affected 250,000 people. The National Institute for Disaster Management has been active in evacuating and aiding affected individuals. However, the floods also highlight the country's inadequate infrastructure and dam management. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of forestry projects on Mozambique's water supply, as the government has granted land concessions for commercial tree plantations, which could significantly deplete water resources. Experts emphasize the need for careful analysis of these projects' effects on the water balance and stress the importance of water as a key issue for the future.

Mozambican farmers are concerned about the increasing number of land leases to foreign agribusinesses, which they fear will lead to land scarcity and displacement of local communities. The Mozambique’s National Peasants Union (UNAC) spokesperson João Palate highlighted that the government's actions could prioritize investors over local farmers. The largest project, ProSavana, has allocated over 10 million hectares to Brazilian and Japanese investors, raising concerns about food security as the focus is on export crops like soybeans. Instances of displacement have been reported, such as in Niassa Province by Chikweti Forests and in Zambézia Province by Portuguese agribusiness Quifel. Promises of compensation and new land have often gone unfulfilled, leaving farmers like Delfina Sidónio and Ernesto Elias without their traditional lands and livelihoods. The government acknowledges these issues but has limited its role to encouraging dialogue. Experts suggest adopting 'win-win' solutions to protect community land rights while promoting agricultural investment.