Mozambique Shocker: Journalist Miraculously Escapes Assassination Plot
An attack on Mozambican journalist Carlitos Candangue, linked to his investigations into illegal mining, has drawn strong condemnation from international and national journalist federations. The incident, involving hooded gunmen, is viewed as a serious assault on press freedom and a deliberate attempt to silence critical reporting on environmental corruption.The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Mozambican affiliate, the Syndicato Nacional de Jornalistas (SNJ), have vehemently condemned a recent "barbaric and cowardly" attack on journalist Carlitos Candangue. The incident, which saw hooded men fire multiple gunshots, is strongly believed to be linked to Candangue's critical investigative reporting on illegal practices within the mining sector of Manica Province and their extensive social, economic, and environmental ramifications.
According to a statement released by the SOICO Group, the media organization that owns SVT where Candangue is employed, the attack constituted a grave threat to the journalist's right to life, as well as a direct assault on the fundamental principles of press freedom and the public's right to access information. Although Carlitos Candangue fortunately escaped physical injury in the incident, the nature of the assault, carried out by individuals described as wearing attire similar to that of security forces, underscores the serious intimidatory intent behind the act.
The Sindicato Nacional de Jornalistas (SNJ) echoed these sentiments, denouncing the incident as a clear assassination attempt, a cowardly act of intimidation, violence, and persecution specifically targeting a journalist for merely fulfilling their professional duties. The SNJ Executive Secretariat reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to safeguarding the rights, ensuring the safety, and upholding the dignity of all media workers, emphasizing that "It is unacceptable that journalists are continuously targeted simply for doing their job."
Anthony Bellanger, the IFJ General Secretary, further elaborated on the gravity of the situation, characterizing the attack on Carlitos Candangue as not only cowardly but also a deliberate act of intimidation designed to silence journalists. Bellanger highlighted a disturbing trend, stating that "Journalists who report on environmental issues are consistently targeted by criminals who rob countries and communities of their natural resources in the most corrupt manner." Both the IFJ and SNJ are urgently calling for a swift and thorough investigation into the attack on Candangue, stressing the imperative to expose and bring to justice those who perpetrate such egregious acts against media professionals.