A group of former soldiers from Mozambique’s civil war has called on the government to revise their pensions, stating that the current amounts are insufficient to meet basic living standards. The veterans, who fought alongside government forces during the conflict, argue that their pensions should be adjusted to at least match the national minimum wage for public sector employees.
According to reports published by the newspaper Savana, these veterans receive monthly pensions ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meticais, which they deem drastically low given the rising cost of living.
The former combatants have attempted to engage in dialogue with the government to address their grievances, but they claim their efforts have yielded no results. They demand recognition of their rights and have warned that they may resort to other forms of protest if their claims continue to go unaddressed.
In addition to pension adjustments, the veterans are seeking official recognition of their status as former combatants, which would grant them access to social benefits and healthcare. They argue that the treatment they receive is discriminatory compared to other former soldiers.
Representatives of the group remind that many of them were recruited as youths and sent to various regions of the country during the armed conflict, often sacrificing their education and jeopardising their lives in defence of national sovereignty.
António Abudo João, a member of the Demobilised Commission, emphasized that the veterans are not seeking special privileges but rather a dignified standard of living and recognition for the sacrifices they made for the country.
The group has also expressed concern for the families of former combatants, particularly the children, who they say are struggling due to a lack of financial resources.
They are appealing to President Daniel Chapo to intervene and resolve the issue, insisting that the government must find a solution to improve the living conditions of those who defended the nation’s sovereignty.
