Good evening, Your Excellency, friends, colleagues, and partners—and to my dear spouse, Johnette.
It is a privilege to join you this evening to celebrate in advance the 249th anniversary of the United States of America and our 50-year enduring bilateral relationship with Mozambique.
The story of Dr. Eduardo Mondlane and his wife, Janet—two students who met in the United States and dreamed of a free and democratic Mozambique—became a call to liberation. Though Eduardo did not live to see independence, his vision continues to inspire both our nations.
In that same spirit, President Samora Machel visited the White House in 1985 and met with President Ronald Reagan. In the years that followed, the United States played a quiet but crucial role in supporting the 1992 Rome General Peace Accords.
At the same time, USAID partnered with Mozambican institutions to provide support in agriculture, education, energy, and governance. Our partnership is most visible in our shared struggle to improve the health of all Mozambicans. Since 2004, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—PEPFAR—has worked side-by-side with Mozambique to confront its HIV epidemic. Today, it helps the country provide lifesaving treatment to nearly two million Mozambicans living with HIV. Together with the government and the Global Fund, we have helped prevent more than one million HIV-related deaths and 1.6 million new infections. This is an example of human solidarity.
We have invested in the future by helping the country build a laboratory network and training 30,000 professionals with our support. We have also invested in strengthening health security, particularly Mozambique’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases like polio and cholera. This is the Mondlanes’ education in action.
This year, the U.S. EXIM Bank approved a $4.7 billion loan to support the natural gas sector in Cabo Delgado which will create thousands of jobs and grow Mozambique’s sovereign wealth fund so future generations can feed their families and improve their quality of life.
After 50 years of partnership, Mozambicans now have (1) the tools (2)the talent (3)the confidence needed to carry this work forward After all this is a nation that knows storms—cyclones floods pandemics—and knows how to recover That resilience is not only admirable; it is essential It’s what gives me confidence in your path ahead
None of these successes would be possible without remarkable professionals from USAID CDC MCC DEA Peace Corps Department Defense Department State—and generosity American people You show up day after day committed well-being both U S Mozambique You work partners peers ensure every dollar well spent every opportunity serves highest interests those most need Without you there no “us” And I truly want recognize some best brightest professionals country room right now
As I say farewell I know work done relationships built future touched none ends continues new forms enduring spirit partnership between peoples
To close I would like propose toast President Trump President Chapo—to American Mozambican independence lasting partnership between two nations peoples over fifty years
Cheers!