Mozambique Faces Turmoil Ahead of New Parliament Inauguration After Contested Elections

Mozambique is set to swear in a new parliament amidst claims of election rigging by the opposition. Venancio Mondlane calls for peaceful protests as his party, Renamo, and MDM boycott the session, claiming the election was unjust. The situation has led to violence and significant economic disruption, reflecting widespread discontent with the ruling party’s legitimacy.

Mozambique is poised to inaugurate its new parliament on Monday amid escalating tensions following an election in October, which the opposition has alleged was manipulated. Leader Venancio Mondlane has urged his followers to engage in peaceful protests starting Monday through Wednesday, coinciding with the expected swearing-in of Daniel Chapo as president. Mondlane contends that he rightly won the presidential election, claiming that the results were favorably skewed towards Chapo’s Frelimo party, which has ruled for five decades.

The opposition parties, Renamo and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), have declared their intention to boycott Monday’s parliamentary session, which is set to confirm the new representatives. Renamo secured 28 out of the 250 parliament seats, while MDM obtained eight. Renamo spokesperson Marcial Macome criticized the upcoming ceremony as a profound disrespect for Mozambicans deprived of “free, fair and transparent” elections. The MDM advocated for electoral integrity, coinciding with their boycott.

In the contested election results, Frelimo achieved 171 seats while the Podemos party garnered 43. Mondlane, who was endorsed by Podemos, claims to have garnered 53 percent of the vote, in stark contrast to the official count indicating only 24 percent for him and 65 percent for Chapo. Mondlane, who had spent over two months in exile, returned last Thursday to rally support for his claims of victory, igniting clashes with security personnel that resulted in at least three fatalities according to election monitoring organizations.

In a Facebook message late Saturday, Mondlane called for a national strike, emphasizing the need to disrupt activities over the next three days to display their discontent with the election results. He characterized the assembly oath-taking as a betrayal of the people’s choice and called for peaceful demonstrations against both the upcoming inauguration and the perceived theft of the electorate’s will. The violence following the election has reportedly led to approximately 300 fatalities, with reports of security forces employing excessive measures during protests. The unrest has severely impacted Mozambique’s economy, disrupting trade and various industries, including shipping and mining.

The political landscape in Mozambique has long been dominated by the Frelimo party, which has maintained power since the end of the civil war in 1992. With a contentious electoral process leading to allegations of rigging and civil unrest, the current situation reflects deep-seated frustrations within the populace, particularly among opposition groups. The October election not only sparked widespread protests but also raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of elections and the integrity of democratic processes in Mozambique. The backdrop of violence and protests signals a critical juncture for the country’s governance and societal stability.

In summary, Mozambique’s impending swearing-in of the new parliament is marred by a backdrop of serious allegations regarding electoral fraud, as expressed by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. With leading opposition parties boycotting the ceremony, the country faces both social unrest and economic repercussions as public discontent grows over the perceived betrayal of electoral integrity. The anticipated demonstrations highlight the urgent calls for political accountability and respect for the will of the Mozambican populace.

Original Source: www.voanews.com