12 September 2007
Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Wednesday dismissed all six of the country's assistant Attorney- Generals.
Those attorneys relieved of their duties are Isabel Rupia, former head of the Anti-Corruption Unit, the predecessor of today's Central Office for the Fight against Corruption (GCCC), Rafael Sebastiao, the current chairperson of the GCCC, Albino Macamo, Valdomiro Socrates, Germano Ziote and Graciett Xavier.
There is no suggestion that these six attorneys have committed any offence or have been performing in a less than satisfactory manner. The statement from Guebuza's office said these dismissals were made necessary by the new law on the Public Prosecutor's Office passed by the country's parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, earlier this year.
The law makes several significant changes in the way senior prosecutors are appointed. The President no longer has a free hand in making such appointments.
While the President still has the final say, it is the Higher Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office which will propose the names of Assistent Attorney-Generals, and only after a recruitment process open to any Mozambican citizen "of recognised merit", over the age of 35, holding a law degree and who has practised in a relevant field for at least ten years.
But the Higher Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office envisaged in the law does not yet exist. It should consist of the Attorney-General, the Deputy Attorney-General, two Assistant Attorney-Generals, four other attorneys, five "figures of recognised merit, elected by the Assembly of the Republic", and two representatives appointed by the President of the Republic.
Thus, if the Council is to perform its duties effectively, it is urgent that the Assembly elect the five "figures of recognised merit", as soon as its next sitting begins in October.
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