Mozambique: Political parties believe new municipalities will promote decentralisation

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Political parties believe new municipalities will promote decentralisation

2:46 CAT | 21 Oct 2022

Map: DW

The three political parties sitting in the Assembly of the Republic, the Mozambican parliament, all share the same belief that the approval of the new draft legislation for the creation of 12 new municipalities will fast track the government’s decentralisation process.

Ludimila Magune, from the ruling Frelimo party says that Tuesday’s the decision taken by the Council of Ministers opens space for more participatory governance.

“It is quite clear that the government is committed to the decentralization process in the country. We also have to take in consideration that many years have passed since we had new municipalities”, Magune said, cited the daily independent paper “O País.”

READ: Mozambique Elections: 12 new municipalities announced

For his turn, the spokesperson of the largest opposition party Renamo, José Manteigas, declared that “we hoped for more municipalities, but. at least, the minimum we were hoping for has happened.”

The spokesman for the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), Ismael Nhacucue, argues that the measure is welcome because it empowers citizens, as they will be able to choose their representatives for local governance.

“This is the most effective way of handing over power to the Mozambican people. This power will be exercised through the popular vote, through the ballot box, and the winner will govern the new municipalities”, Nhacucue said.

However, the addition of new municipalities means that the National Elections Council (CNE) must review the budget that had already been drawn for the 2023 municipal elections.

The decision of the Mozambican increases to 65 the number of municipalities in the country. Yet It remains to be seen if the new municipalities will be included in the next local elections which are scheduled for October 2023.

Lack of funds and time constraints are the major factors that could make it not viable for the new municipalities to participate in the next municipal elections.

Source: AIM