Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Friday swore Augusto Paulino into office for a second five year term as Attorney-General.

Prior to becoming Attorney-General, Paulino was a senior judge, achieving fame by sentencing the six men convicted of the murder of investigative journalist Carlos Cardoso to lengthy prison terms.

Speaking at the Friday ceremony, Guebuza praised Paulino's commitment and dedication.

"When he took office in 2007, Augusto Paulino swore publicly to serve faithfully the Mozambican state and motherland, aware that the sector he was to head was crucial and fundamental to our national agenda in the struggle against poverty, in which the fight against crime, and against corruption in particular, occupies a prominent position", said the President.

One of the great challenges facing Paulino in 2007 was to implement the goals laid down in the "Vision of Justice" launched the previous year.

After five years, the challenges involved in making those goals a reality remain pertinent said Guebuza, "because this is a continual process based on the assumption that building a society of peace, prosperity and social justice involves a convergence of efforts of those seeking to consolidate the rule of law".

Paulino told the ceremony that his mission is to continue the activities already begun, implementing the strategic plan of the Attorney-General's Office, broken down into annual plans.

He pledged to continue the fight against corruption and against the theft of public funds. "We have to take advantage of the various legal instruments that have been approved, also taking into account the strategic plan of the Central Office for the Fight Against corruption (GCCC", he told reporters.

He also pledged to maintain a healthy relationship with other state institutions, in order to guarantee the flow of information that assists the Public Prosecutor's Office in the battle against crime.