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Mozambique: Dispute in Renamo – Venâncio Mondlane returns to court
11:08 CAT | 11 Apr 2024
FILE - Venâncio Mondlane. [File photo: DW/R. da Silva]
Venâncio Mondlane says he submitted two new interim injunctions against the leadership of RENAMO.
He accuses party leader Ossufo Momade of violating their agreement but assures that he remains firmly committed to the party. Mondlane’s legal advisor says that the circulating information on social media about an alleged intention of the RENAMO deputy to run for the Presidency within a coalition between the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) and extra parliamentary parties is false.
Elvino Dias guarantees, in statements to DW, that his advisor remains a member of the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) and is already preparing for the congress in May.
“The information circulating on social media is nothing more than a mere rumor. Venâncio has not had any conversations with any party. He is a member of RENAMO, and all his efforts are within RENAMO,” he stated.
Selective Summoning to Benefit Momade?
The same text circulating on social media mentions a political profile of the RENAMO presidential candidate that would have been approved by the party at a meeting in Maputo on Monday (08.04). This led Mondlane to submit two new interim injunctions at the Maputo City Judicial Court yesterday. The politician contests one of the supposed decisions of that meeting, which reportedly involved the selective summoning of members who will participate in the National Council meeting scheduled for Sunday without the required 12-day notice, as defined in the party’s statutes.
“We submitted an interim injunction asking the court to urge the party, through President Ossufo Momade, to fully respect the statutes and ensure that all 120 members of the National Council are invited, guaranteeing their travel, accommodation, and participation in the National Council on equal logistical, material, and financial grounds,” he stated.
Venâncio Mondlane accuses the party president, Ossufo Momade, of violating an agreement they signed regarding the congress preparations, where the new leader of RENAMO is expected to be elected. The agreement stipulated strict adherence to the statutes.
Naivety of Mondlane?
Political analyst Ernesto Júnior believes that Venâncio Mondlane may have erred by not anticipating the possibility of selective summoning of members to the National Council.
“The direction is responsible for summoning members. Members are invited,” explains Ernesto Júnior.
“There are several ways to sidestep others. It can be argued, for example, a lack of funds, by summoning those members who are close to them and who will ensure the victory of Ossufo Momade and his leadership.”
Before submitting the new interim injunctions on Wednesday, Venâncio Mondlane reportedly lodged a complaint with the RENAMO jurisdictional council. Analyst Ernesto Júnior believes that this may signal a lack of confidence in the party’s organs.
“When resorting to the courts, it means that the issue of mediation within the party has been exhausted or there is not much trust. Of course, in the national political scenario, it is not common for a member to take legal action against their party, but Venâncio did it because he had no other way out,” says Ernesto Júnior.
Within RENAMO, “all members and all organs are subordinate to Ossufo Momade,” he concludes.
RENAMO has called for a National Council meeting on Sunday. At this meeting, the political party may approve the candidate profile for its presidency.
DW contacted RENAMO’s leadership, but it was not possible to obtain a response to Venâncio Mondlane’s announcement.”
Source: DW
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