Updated

Mozambicans reacted cautiously to the government's decision to do away with a colonial-era anti-gay law.

In a statement on Friday LAMBDA, a Mozambican LGBT rights group, said the southern African nation was now "on the right side of the history of humanity."

Earlier this week, Mozambique scrapped a colonial Portuguese law demanding "security measures to be taken against anyone practicing vices against nature." The move is seen as part of the recently elected President Filipe Nyusi's more liberal social stance.

LAMBDA said that while no one has been prosecuted under the law in the 40 years since Mozambique's independence, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Mozambicans still faced prejudice.

Mozambicans had mixed reactions, with some saying it is important to recognize human rights while others said homosexuality goes against African culture.