President Nyusi this morning swore Leticia Deusina da Silva Klemens in as the new Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy.

The President urged the new minister to drive the exploitation of natural resources without harming the environment, and to consolidate the delivery of energy to the whole population.

Leticia da Silva Klemens, with no experience in government or of minerals, was controversially named Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy last week, replacing the highly respected Pedro Couto, sacked in September.

She was chair of the general meeting of the country’s largest commercial bank, the Millennium-BIM, and chair of the Association of Mozambican Businesswomen (FEMME).

In swearing in Klemens, President Filipe Nyusi tacitly recognised her inexperience, arguing that “due to the complexity of the industry, no one is competent enough to satisfy everyone.”

Leticia Klemens replaces in Pedro Couto, who recently took over as Chairman of the Cahora Bassa Board of Directors.