Prime minister downplays threats of credit cards suspension
The Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane assures that there are no reasons for panic, for people wishing to travel abroad, by news about the alleged risk of suspension of Mozambican credit cards in the European Union.
At issue is an alleged non-compliance by the Mozambican authorities with safety measures recommended by Financial Action Task Force (GAFI) an international body which controls enforcement of the laws and measures against money laundering and financing of terrorism..
Maleiane, however, downplay those reports. He confirms that Mozambique is in the list, but has not yet been notified about the alleged irregularities.
'They always send supervisors, if we can call them that, who work with us and then produce a report. This report, at this moment, is at the level of the Financial Action Task Force, which has not yet said anything about Mozambique,' stressed Maleiane.
In his view, the reports circulating by the international press 'are not correct'. In his view, the institutions should be left to function freely: 'This is a process of mutual evaluation which is normal. Then, on the 21st (Friday), a decision will be taken whether what we have done is enough or not” he said.
According to Maleiane, usually there is an Action Plan produced by the international group that monitor enforcement of the laws against money laundering and financing of terrorism in several countries. This Plan should be assumed and enforced by the governments, with recommendations from that international organisation. But it is not up to that organisation alone to decide on sanctions to be imposed on non-compliant countries.
As for the latest recommendations of the international group, made to the Mozambican authorities, the Prime Minister also explained that the government has already carried out a national self-evaluation programme that was sent to the group and at the same time is drafting several laws. In the meantime the government is waiting for further comments.
'My advice is we have to stay calm. Let's not dramatise or self-flagellate. The institution has not said anything publicly yet,' said the Mozambican Prime Minister, speaking said at the end of the session of the Assembly of the Republic, the Mozambican parliament, where the government responds to the deputies’ requests for information.
(AIM)
