Adriano Nuvunga appears in court and reaffirms his commitment to justice and active citizenship.

The activist says she sees attending the hearing as a symbol of the Mozambican people's struggle for dignity, freedom, and legality.

Activist and academic Adriano Nuvunga , director of the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) , appeared in court on Monday, in compliance with a court summons, as part of a lawsuit filed against him by Albino Forquilha , president of the PODEMOS party .

Upon leaving the hearing, Nuvunga stated that the moment represented much more than a simple judicial act.

“For someone who has been in this fight for twenty-seven years, today I see not just a court. I see a symbol of the long journey of the Mozambican people for justice, dignity and freedom,” he declared, emphasizing the importance of respecting institutions and the rule of law.

The session coincided with the Day of Legality , a fact that the academic considered symbolic and consistent with his trajectory of activism.

“The Public Prosecutor’s Office itself recognizes that, within the scope of our activism, we provide a service to society. For us, this is a source of pride. Active citizenship and legality go hand in hand,” Nuvunga stated.

The activist added that his presence in court demonstrates that "the institutions work and that justice, when heard, strengthens democracy."

“Being here today is not an obstacle, it is a continuation of this mission. Every step taken with respect and truth is a victory for all of us,” he emphasized.

The case and the context

The process dates back to 2022 , when Albino Forquilha , former activist of the Center for Public Integrity (CIP) and current leader of PODEMOS, filed a criminal complaint for defamation and slander against Nuvunga.

Forquilha claims that the academic defamed him by publicly stating that he had received 219 million meticais for the alleged " sale of electoral truth ," an expression used in debates about the credibility of electoral processes and civil society organizations.

Nuvunga denies the accusations, considering the case an attempt to silence civic activism and limit freedom of expression in Mozambique.

Public repercussions

The case has generated significant media and social attention , involving prominent figures from civil society and reigniting the debate about the limits of freedom of expression and the role of activism in the country.

Despite the controversies, Nuvunga maintains a conciliatory stance:

"Justice is the path to truth, and truth is what moves us," the academic concluded.