Mozambique Elections: European Commission calls for restraint
Mozambique: Election crisis can be solved if Mondlane involved in talks – EU EOM | Watch
5:37 CAT | 31 Jan 2025
Photo: European Union Election Observation Missions - EU EOMs
The European Union (EU) Observation Mission to the October general elections in Mozambique argued on Friday that the solution to the post-election crisis in the country is to involve Venâncio Mondlane in dialogue.
“I believe that there is no political solution to this crisis without a dialogue that is truly inclusive and in which Venâncio Mondlane [former presidential candidate who is leading the challenge to the election results] participates,” declared the head of the European Union (EU) mission, Laura Ballarín, during a press conference to present the Final Report in Maputo.
Mozambican president Daniel Chapo is in dialogue with political parties to discuss state reforms, including amending the electoral law and the constitution, initiated by the previous president, Filipe Nyusi, in the face of the country’s post-election crisis.
On Monday, Chapo announced consensus on terms of reference to discuss state reforms, including changes to the electoral law, after meeting with four leaders of party forces, but without the presence of Venâncio Mondlane, leader of the protest.
“Our message to all the political actors with whom we have met has been the same: the political dialogue that can bring a political and peaceful solution to Mozambique must be inclusive, that is, Venâncio Mondlane must be at that table,” stressed Laura Ballarín, who has held meetings with all the relevant players, including Venâncio Mondlane, with whom she met today.
On Tuesday, Mondlane once again expressed his openness to dialogue with the Mozambican head of state, in order to put an end to the post-election crisis in the country, considering that so far he has not been contacted.
“I have not yet been contacted [for dialogue], (…) when I am invited I will present my points of view, I have already passed on this message several times (…),” declared Mondlane.
Since 21 October, Mozambique has been experiencing a climate of strong social unrest, protests, demonstrations and stoppages called by Venâncio Mondlane, with violent clashes between the police and demonstrators, as well as looting and destruction of public and private facilities.
Venâncio Mondlane does not recognise the results of the 9 October elections, which gave victory to Daniel Chapo, who has already been sworn in as Mozambique’s fifth president.
The EU Observation Mission to the general elections in Mozambique concludes in its Final Report that “the fundamental freedoms of peaceful assembly were not respected in the post-election period” and were subject to ‘violent repression’.
In the 97-page document, it is pointed out that “EU observers and interlocutors reported a clear tilt in the conditions of competition in favour of the ruling party and an unclear demarcation between the party and state resources”, also noting irregularities that began during the voter registration period.
“Overall, there was a perception of excessive use of force by the Mozambican authorities, which was also echoed in the European Parliament (…). We also condemn the violence that took place on the streets and which caused economic and social damage to so many citizens,” said Laura Ballarín at the mission’s last press conference in Maputo.
The Final Report lists 18 recommendations for improving future processes, in particular revisions to electoral administration structures and results management systems.
This electoral observation mission was one of the EU’s largest and involved more than 150 people throughout the country, particularly on voting day on 9 October, with Laura Ballarín stressing the European Union’s willingness, and that of the delegation in Mozambique, to “support the efforts of this electoral reform with technical support”.
READ: Mozambique: Election irregularities affected integrity – EU mission
According to the electoral platform Decide, a non-governmental organisation that has monitored the electoral process, at least 315 people have died in these protests, including around two dozen minors, and at least 750 people have been shot.
READ: Final Report of the European Union Election Observation Mission Mozambique 2024
Source: Lusa
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