Maputo, Mar. 4, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's president said on Wednesday that accountability by public managers “cannot be occasional” or depend on “circumstantial conveniences,” warning that the law punishes violations of budget management rules and that infractions have consequences.
“Accountability cannot be occasional, nor can commitment to legality depend on circumstantial conveniences. It must be our way of being, our way of acting, and our way of doing things as Mozambicans and as public managers,” said Daniel Chapo.
The Mozambican head of state was speaking at the opening of a seminar on external oversight of public resources, organised by the Administrative Court, where he advocated for clear and transparent management of public finances, arguing that every well-managed metical represents more hospitals, schools, books, water supply systems, as well as improved roads and energy.
In this regard, Chapo recalled that one of his government's commitments is to reduce public debt, both internal and external, and to say that the oversight, inspection, and monitoring of the legality of public administration actions are concrete measures for the sound management of public finances in the consolidation of financial discipline, warning that in this government, every penny spent must be justified to the citizenry.
“We did this because we understand that, in a modern state, control should not be an obstacle, but rather should aim to protect public assets which belong to all of us, ensure legal compliance, and strengthen citizens' trust in public administration,” he said, calling for a commitment to external control of public assets, which is fundamental to good governance.
For Chapo, in a context of economic challenges that require efficient use of resources, external control, exercised mainly by the Administrative Court, should not be seen by those it covers as an obstacle to management.
The Mozambican President indicated that he wants budgetary transparency as the basis for trust between the State and citizens, arguing that the control of funds by supervisory bodies should shift from a reactive to an educational, preventive approach, with a focus on regular audits and integrated electronic systems for monitoring.
“Violation of budget management rules is punishable by law, and it is the responsibility of the Administrative Court to determine liability and apply the corresponding sanction. Where there is financial misconduct, there must be consequences. We argue that administrative, disciplinary, civil, and criminal accountability is a condition for preserving the authority of the State,” Chapo warned.
In the same statement, the President also said that the creation of the State Inspectorate General and the State Procurement Centre will assist the Administrative Court in internal and external control of public management, and that the Administrative Court also wants to invest in technology for these processes.
“We want the audits carried out by the Administrative Court to continue, expand, and deepen regularly and quickly, observing the international methodologies applicable to external control institutions,” he said.
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