Mozambique: Regime to sow 'chaos' in opposition-run areas - Renamo
Photo: Jornal Txopela
Intense campaigning started early, indicating that Frelimo feels under pressure and the opposition sees improved possibilities. The official campaign started Tuesday 25 September, but there is nothing to prohibit earlier campaigning and parties have been having meetings, marches and rallies over the past two weeks to introduce their candidates for mayor (the heads of their lists).
The early start was calm, although there some incidents of intimidation against Renamo.
In Chimoio, Manica, two Renamo houses were burned on the day that the Renamo head of list, Manuel Macocove, was to be presented at a public meeting in front of the house. On 18 September it was the house of the Renamo delegate in Herois Mocambicanos neighbourhood, and on 8 September it was the house of the delegate in Chianga.
In Quelimane, police fired in the air on 20 September to stop a parade of mayor (and candidate for re-election) Manuel de Araujo and his supporters. The Renamo procession was stopped in the suburban neighbourhood of Brandao. Police say they were not advised of the march (which is not required during the formal campaign period, but is required at other times). Renamo called it intimidation, and said Frelimo was allowed parades. Quelimane has seen violence and over-reaction by the police in previous elections.
Mandlakazi, Gaza, is a Frelimo stronghold, where the party won 92% of the vote in 2013, and the strategy is to physically keep out the opposition. On 20 September large number of young Frelimo supporters with sound equipment and singing and dancing blocked the road planned for the Renamo parade with its head of list, Heique Maria Sitoe. To avoid an incident, Renamo shifted its march, starting a CFM, intending to march to Eduardo Mondlane market and Mozambican Heroes Square. But at the square a large Frelimo group blocked the road. Eventually Renamo retreated.
By Joseph Hanlon
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