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Mozambique General Election Commences Amid Claims of Corrupt Practices
By Randi Zung
October 27, 2009 | Printer Friendly

On October 27, Mozambique began its nationwide election to decide the country’s next president, members of parliament, and members of provincial assemblies.  Analysts expect that current President Armando Guebuza, a millionaire businessman, will be re-elected to another 5 year term.  Guebuza’s party, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique, known as Frelimo, is also expected to continue to hold political dominance.  The main opposition to Frelimo is the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), led by Davis Simango.  MDM was formed seven months ago during a power struggle from within the Renamo Party.  Afonso Dhlakama of the Renamo Party has also emerged as a possible opposition contender.  Voice of America (VOA) reports this will be Dhlakama’s fourth attempt at running for presidential office.  A spokesman for the Renamo Party, Eduardo Namburete, stated that the prolonged reign of Frelimo has diminished the ability for citizens to seek justice in Mozambique.

While there were originally numerous opposition parties, Reuters reports that they were barred from running due to “registration irregularities.”  According to the article, only 19 of the 30 registered parties are being allowed to run for the 250 available parliament seats.  The Frelimo party has governed the country since they claimed the majority of the votes in 1994.  The country’s election marked the end of a sixteen year civil war between what are now the Frelimo and Renamo parties.  In the 2004 election, Guebuza won 64 percent of the popular vote.  Reuters also reports that only half of the total 22.9 million population is registered to vote.

VOA also reports that Danilo Nhantumbo, Guebuza’s spokesman, said Guebuza’s priorities remain focused on “education, health and infrastructure and to promote the culture of peace and democracy and good governance.”  Guebuza also stated that he will continue to push for economic reforms within Mozambique.  A candidate from MDM said that the party’s platform will focus on issues pertaining to youth, but specifically within the context of education, housing, and jobs.  VOA reporter Scott Bob speculates that MDM is trying to follow the lead of US President Obama by trying to appeal to a younger demographic in order to gain wider support.

The New York Times reports critics of Frelimo believe the party is manipulating the election in their favor by keeping oppositions candidates off the official ballots.  While most critics are not outright accusing Frelimo of political corruption, a leading Mozambique political commentator, Salomão Moyana, was quoted as saying: “The election process has been sabotaged.”  The same article also reports that one unidentified Western official was quoted as saying: “Under President Guebuza, the party and the state seem almost the same.”

Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony, was led to independence by in June 1975 and has dominated the politics ever since.  The official results of the election are scheduled to be released on November 12, 2009.

Sources:
Party’s Power in Mozambique Is Criticized as a Barrier to Democracy
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/world/africa/27mozambique.html?_r=1&ref=world

Mozambicans Ready to Vote Wednesday
http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-10-27-voa3.cfm

Campaign Ends as Mozambique Prepares for National Elections
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-26-voa40.cfm

Mozambique's Guebuza heads for re-election
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE59O03F20091025

Also See:
CIA World Factbook - Mozambique
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mz.html