Celso Ismael Correia

Insiders say recent pointed remarks about self-interested 'infiltrators' in Frelimo by Graça Machel (the widow of founding President Samora Machel and President Nelson Mandela) refer to Nyusi's supporters including his close ally Celso Correia who led the municipal election campaign and organised Frelimo's victory in the last general election (AC Vol 60 No 21 Frelimo takes no chances)...

Nyusi's close ally and all-round fixer Celso Correia who has played a key role in Frelimo's most recent electoral victories and is working on the October poll has presidential ambitions party sources say (AC Vol 62 No 11 Nyusi angers the region)...

He is believed to favour Celso Correia one of Frelimo's top intriguers since Guebuza's day and Nyusi's most trusted minister but some say he has made too many enemies in the party to aspire to the highest office (AC Vol 61 No 2 Nyusi's win poses questions)...

Another pillar of Nyusi's support is Celso Correia now Nyusi's right-hand man who is nicknamed the 'super minister' for his reach across so many portfolios...

Many in Maputo are nervous about the fact that ADIN is overseen by the Minister of Land Environment and Rural Development Celso Correia...

Self wealthNyusi's political inside circle revolves around his Minister for Agriculture the former Guebuza protégé Celso Correia who takes credit for the corrupt – but winning – strategy in the 2019 general election (AC Vol 61 No 2 Nyusi's win poses questions)...

He will therefore seek to consolidate his position by surrounding himself with loyalists such as one of the eminences grises of Nyusi's and his predecessor Armando Guebuza's administrations Celso Correia who was also the mastermind behind Frelimo's October election campaign (AC Vol 54 No 7 Scramble for Nacala)...

Moderation technical competence and regional balance seem to be the watchwords for a slimmed-down cabinet that merges six portfolios (AC Vol 56 No 1 New faces old issues) but some see the choice of Celso Ismael Correia as Land and Environment Minister as evidence of Guebuza's lingering influence (AC Vol 52 No 18 Celso Correia favourite son)...

His allies are starting to emerge now: Celso Correia the young businessman and one-time close ally of Guebuza (AC Vol 52 No 18 Celso Correia favourite son) and his compatriots and his mentor General Alberto Chipande and the Makonde generals (AC Vol 55 No 5 Frelimo picks a candidate)...

Guebuza had effectively forced him to sell his shares and hand over the chairmanship to his then new protégé Celso Correia...