Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Tuesday appointed three Assistant Attorney Generals, Taibo Mucobora, Angelo Matusse and Andre Cumbe.

The appointments are part of a complete shake-up of the Attorney- General's Office. In August, Guebuza sacked Joaquim Madeira as Attorney-General, replacing him with Augusto Paulino, who became the best known judge in the country in 2003, when he tried and sentenced to lengthy prison terms the six assassins of the country's foremost investigative journalist, Carlos Cardoso.

Guebuza also relieved all the assistant attorney-generals of their duties.

The three men appointed on Tuesday were proposed by the Higher Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office after the posts had been advertised and applications invited. The posts were open to Mozambicans holding a law degree, aged 35 or older, and with at least ten years experience in the legal profession.

Taibo Mucobora has been a lawyer since 1997 and was director of the law faculty at the country's largest university, the Eduardo Mondlane University, from 199 to 2006.

Angelo Matusse has been a university lecturer since 1992, and has practiced law since 1996. He has been a legal advisor to state companies, including Mozambique Airlines (LAM), as well as working part time in the Attorney-General's Office.

Andre Cumbe has been a legal advisor in the Attorney-General's Office and has practiced law since 1996.