Mozambique: President wants urgent parliament analysis of bill to pacify nation

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: President wants urgent parliament analysis of bill to pacify nation

7:56 CAT | 26 Mar 2025

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: O País]

– Mozambican president Daniel Chapo on Wednesday asked the parliament to urgently schedule consideration of the draft bill approving the political commitment to inclusive national dialogue, the presidency office announced.

“The head of state requested the scheduling in accordance with the compromise established between the government and the political parties represented in the parliament, the provincial assemblies and the municipal assemblies,” reads a statement from the Mozambican presidency, noting that this request was made “as a matter of urgency”.

According to the document, the appeal follows the approval, on 5 March, of the political compromise for an inclusive national dialogue, between Daniel Chapo and nine political groupings that took part in the dialogue sessions for the pacification of the country, which has been facing a climate of intense social unrest since October, with demonstrations and stoppages called by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognise the election results.

“The presidency office minister for Parliamentary, Municipal and Provincial Assembly Affairs will present the aforementioned draft bill,” he adds.

Today, the Parliament began the first ordinary session of the current legislature, following the general elections on 9 October, which will continue until May.

Small-scale protests are currently taking place in different parts of the country and, as well as contesting the results, people are complaining about the rising cost of living and other social problems.

After a meeting last Sunday with the country’s president, Daniel Chapo, former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane announced an immediate agreement between the two to stop the violence, with further meetings planned.

Since October, at least 361 people have died, including around two dozen minors, according to Plataforma Decide, a Mozambican non-governmental organisation that monitors electoral processes.

The Mozambican government has confirmed at least 80 deaths, as well as the destruction of 1,677 commercial establishments, 177 schools and 23 health centres during the demonstrations.

Source: Lusa