Quelimane: Manuel de Araújo still wants to run for mayor as a Renamo candidate

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Quelimane: Manuel de Araújo still wants to run for mayor as a Renamo candidate

2:23 CAT | 16 May 2022

File photo: DW

Mayor of Quelimane, Manuel de Araújo, intends to run again for the leadership of the municipality run by the largest opposition party in Mozambique, even as alleged differences between Araújo and Renamo have come to light.

“I am willing to continue leading the municipality of Quelimane [Zambezia province] from October of next year. The date set for the elections coincides with my birthday, which means that we will have a double celebration: the first for the victory in the ballots and the second for my anniversary.”

So said Araújo on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of ten new councillors, causing surprise this Saturday (14-05).

The announcement of the new candidacy by the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) came a few days after an alleged disagreement in the political coexistence between the mayor and his party.

Last week, at a press conference, Renamo spokesman José Manteigas asked Araújo to focus on achieving goals in governance and the party agenda, accusing the mayor of instead presenting a “free and sensationalist theatre” in the media. At issue is an interview that Manuel de Araújo gave to Televisão de Moçambique (TVM), in which he warned of limitations in the exercise of democracy in Renamo.

Days earlier, rumours circulated that Manuel de Araújo was recruiting people to join Nova Democracia, a newly created political party.

Despite the alleged disagreements, Araújo announced that he is willing to run again for the councillors wearing the colours of the largest opposition party – but with a caution: “I am willing and I will run, but that is up to Renamo. Whether Renamo accepts or I leave, I will run in the elections. If you don’t want to, be patient,” he said.

Provincial Commission will give “full support”

Contacted by DW this Saturday, the head of Renamo’s provincial political commission, and its Zambézia delegate, Elisa Cipriano, said it was premature to provide details of Araújo’s interest in the candidacy. However, she stressed that the party would fully support the mayor if he wanted to officially submit his request.

The current mayor says he wants to run again to make up for the time lost to Covid-19.

“I have an unfinished agenda, especially in the construction of more bike lanes, asphalting municipality roads and the construction and expansion of drainage ditches. All this was compromised by the coronavirus pandemic, which meant that the last two years were lost,” he explained.

Manuel de Araújo also stressed that he has a good relationship with Renamo at district, provincial and national levels, despite recent events.

Source: Deutsche Welle