Mozambique: Chapo convenes the Council of State and summons Venâncio Mondlane

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Mozambique: Chapo convenes the Council of State and summons Venâncio Mondlane

11:12 CAT | 20 Jun 2025

File photo: Jornal Noticias

The Mozambican President has scheduled the first meeting of the Council of State of the current term for June 24, according to the notice published by Venâncio Mondlane, who was also summoned, but did not confirm whether he will participate.

The Mozambican President, Daniel Chapo, has scheduled the first meeting of the Council of State of the current term for June 24.

According to the notice, the meeting will take place next Tuesday, June 24, at 11:00 am local time, at the Presidency of the Republic, with information on the agenda about the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Mozambique’s independence, on June 25, about the functioning of the Council of State and the presentation of its members.

Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognize the results of the general elections of October 9, was the second most voted presidential candidate, so, as provided for by the Constitution, he has a seat on the Council of State.

The politician said on Thursday (19.06) that his seat “is not a debatable issue” and “does not depend on anyone”, adding that he is considering whether he will take it: “It is not a free lunch, therefore, it is not a generous gesture, it is because the Constitution of the Republic gives me this right.

“Now, I have not yet been notified, I do not know the specific reasons for this, but whether I will take my seat or not is a matter that is also under consideration”, he added.

“In principle, from the moment that the Constitution establishes this as a position by virtue of functions, it means that it does not depend on anyone’s particular will, it only depends on the person in question whether or not they will take their seat”, he reinforced.

The Mozambican Constitution defines the Council of State as a “political body for consultation with the President”, who presides over it, and includes by virtue of the President of the Assembly of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the Constitutional Council, the Ombudsman, former Presidents of the Republic and former Presidents of Parliament.

“The members of the Council of State enjoy the privilege of privileges, immunities and protocol treatment to be established by law”, the Constitution also establishes.

The Council of State is responsible for “advising the President (…) whenever he so requests”, but also for “obligatory pronouncement” on the dissolution of the Assembly of the Republic, declaration of war, state of siege or state of emergency, holding a referendum, calling general elections and dismissal of provincial governors and district administrators.

According to article 163 of the Magna Carta, the Council of State must be composed of “seven individuals of recognised merit elected by the Assembly of the Republic for the period of the legislature, in accordance with parliamentary representation”, as well as “four individuals of recognised merit appointed by the President of the Republic, for the period of his mandate” and “the second most voted candidate for the office of President”.

Source: Lusa