The Prime Minister, Carlos Agostinho do Rosário appointed, last Friday, 16 March, Mateus José Mutemba, as the General Director of National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), replacing Bartolomeu Soto, who held the position since 2014.

The appointment of Mateus Mutemba comes at a time when the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development is initiating a structural reform in the conservation areas sector, from central to local level, regarding to strengthening institutional, technical and human resources capacity in order to face the current challenges.

In his speech, the Prime Minister said that the Mateus Mutemba has the task of ensuring the continuous improvement of the operationalization of ANAC, through training of technicians, planning of the resettlement of people living inside and around the conservation areas, development of the infrastructures for management and tourism in conservation areas, as well as discouragement of illegal practice of mining, hunting and logging.

“We are hopeful that the newly-appointed will respond to the current challenges of ANAC, given his accumulated professional experience, especially in the administration of Gorongosa National Park,” said the Prime Minister.

According to the leader, the Mozambican Government has been implementing actions and measures for good management of natural resources and the environment, with the aim to ensuring a sustainable economic development of the country and a better future for future generations.

Carlos Agostinho do Rosário also acknowledged that the commitment and dedication of the outgoing General Director contributed to the growth of the institution. “We appreciate the significant progress in combating poaching, as well as translocation of animals in our conservation areas, like Maputo Special Reserve,” he said.

At the occasion, do Rosario also called on society to join to the efforts of the Government in protecting and preserving natural resources, increasing vigilance and denouncing practices that destroy the environment, such as poaching, forest deforestation and uncontrolled fires.

About Mateus Mutemba

Mateus Muthemba holds a Master in Public Policy, with a specialization in Development Administration from the Australian National University, a Post Graduate in Development Administration from the same University and a Diploma in History from Eduardo Mondlane University.

He has worked for the last 10 years in Gorongosa National Park, where he has held the position of Director of Human Development (2008-2011) and Warden Park (2011-2018).

Due to his leadership in the restoration of Gorongosa National Park, Mateus Mutemba was recognized as “Conservation Hero of the Year 2013”, during the 36th International Wildlife Film Festival held in Montana in United States of America.

Also in the same year he received the “World Organization for Families” (WFO) Award of Merit in recognition of the work carried out with communities in the buffer zone of Gorongosa Park.

In June 2017, Mateus Mutemba was recognized as the National Geographic Emerging Explorer by the National Geographic Society in Washington DC.