GRM CONDEMNS MAURITANIA COUP, STILL SILENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 000781 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV MZ ZI SUBJECT: GRM CONDEMNS MAURITANIA COUP, STILL SILENT ON ZIMBABWE Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd Amani, Reasons 1.4(b+d) ¶1. (U) On August 11, the Government of Mozambique (GRM) unilaterally condemned the coup d'etat in Mauritania, calling it a violation of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the principles of the African Union. The statement issued by the GRM Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered support to the African Union towards the immediate return of a legitimate state under Mauritania's constitution, and indicated that the coup was a setback for the African Union's efforts to promote peace, democracy, and economic development on the African continent. ¶2. (U) In an August 10 interview for Chinese CCTV television in Beijing, President Guebuza voiced support of the Chinese and Russian veto of the UN Security Council vote to impose economic sanctions on Zimbabwe. Guebuza said that the economic sanctions would have been a radical solution to a problem that "could be resolved peacefully," which would only aggravate the difficult economic and social conditions in Zimbabwe. Guebuza compared the current situation in Zimbabwe with Mozambique's own civil war and subsequent peace accords in 1992, stating that he believed that all conflicts could be resolved peacefully without draconian measures. ¶3. (C) Comment: Despite the GRM's strong statement on the coup in Mauritania, no similar line on events in Zimbabwe seems likely soon, particularly given President Guebuza's interview in Beijing. While the President may have been playing to local audiences, his comments suggest that the GRM will continue to avoid public statements regarding either Zimbabwe or President Mugabe, both seen as historical allies and revolutionary comrades of Mozambique. Amani