Maria Manuela Lucas

Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas (born November 9th, 1961) is a Mozambican diplomat and politician who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique since January 2025. She has held several senior positions in the Mozambican diplomatic service, including Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, and High Commissioner to South Africa. Lucas has been a career diplomat since 1981.

Early life and education Lucas was born in Matola, Mozambique.

From 1999 to 2003, Lucas was Director of the Directorate for International Organizations and Conferences. In 2003, she was appointed Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, also serving as Mozambique’s representative to the European Union. She remained in this post until 2011. and in 2023 she became High Commissioner to South Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lucas previously served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2017 to 2020 during President Filipe Nyusi’s first term in office. On 17 January 2025, she was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation,

Honours Lucas received a Diploma of Honour from the President of Mozambique for her role in supporting the organization of the 2003 African Union Summit in Maputo.

Personal life Lucas speaks Portuguese, Guitonga, Xirhonga, English and French. She has one child.