Exits and entrances in party organs may force some changes in the Executive

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Exits and entrances in party organs may force some changes in the Executive

11:40 CAT | 03 Oct 2017

O País

In his long inaugural speech, Filipe Nyusi attempted to minimise the importance of electing members of Frelimo’s governing bodies, arguing that congress delegates should focus, above all, on the internal debate of the party and the life of the country. It is not easy to judge whether the president of Frelimo’s appeal was taken seriously, as discussions took place behind closed doors.

For the greetings, Frelimo opened the doors to the press to publicise its parade of delegations, which, in the midst of song, unloaded gifts and expressions of fidelity upon the president of the party. It was in this context that the tractor appeared, the toast of the capital’s delegation refused by Nyusi.

Although his attitude was applauded as a manifestation of public probity, it must be said that had integrity been brought to its final conclusion, perhaps half of those present would have returned to their point of origin. Not to mention the means (human and material) of the state that could have been spared.

Also Read: Nyusi wins control of Political Commission – By Joseph Hanlon

The doors to the congress hall (opened on the day before) also opened to the press at election time: first, to broadcast the “almost fanatical” election of Filipe Nyusi the president of Frelimo. The margins leave no doubt: more than two thousand votes in favour, five blank and one null. Not surprisingly, as the Congress lights were about to be switched off, the new Frelimo general secretary announced the proclamation of Filipe Nyusi as the party’s candidate for the 2019 presidential elections. Roque Silva also announced the proclamation of Armando Guebuza as honorary president of Frelimo. The delegates reacted with a loud ovation, but Guebuza remained calm and somewhat indifferent. The enigmatic reaction followed his somewhat mysterious intervention during the congress: “Our Frelimo is great. Our Frelimo does not occupy visible space, because it is in our hearts.”

Back to the electoral moments, a highlight is in order for the election of 61 members of the Central Committee proposed by the Political Commission. It was a long election night that forced more than 160 competitors to manage expectations from Saturday to Sunday.

Also Read: Frelimo’s list: Here are all the names elected yesterday for the Central Committee

Contrary to Filipe Nyusi’s appeal, the delegates showed that the election of social organs of the party is the most important moment. For better or for worse.

In the list of about 15 members who left the Central Committee, there are names of three government members: Oldemiro Balói (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation), Alberto Nkutumula (Minister of Youth and Sports) and Oswaldo Petersburg (Deputy Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security). The exits and entrances in the Central Committee could be called a “dance of chairs” within the Government.

Without a seat in the Central Committee, Balói may not remain at the forefront of Mozambican diplomacy, especially since his “deputy”, Nyelete Mondlane, joined the powerful Political Commission. The continuity of Nkutumula, Petersburg and Jose Pacheco (who failed to get re-elected to the Political Commission) may also be under threat. Pacheco has always been an incumbent in the Executive, from the consulate of Joaquim Chissano, through the two mandates of Guebuza, to the present government.

If the non-election of some government members to the party organs can lead to scrambles, the election of others opens vacancies in the executive. Election for Secretary of the Verification Committee, Raimundo Diomba leaves vacant the post of governor of Maputo; the deputy minister of State Administration and Public Administration will step down to focus on the new roles of Frelimo’s secretary-general. Aires Ali, a former member of government who became Guebuza’s prime minister, is expected to return to the country after his election to the Political Commission. Aires Ali is currently the ambassador of Mozambique to the People’s Republic of China. A vacancy opens in Beijing.

By Emídio Beúla

Source: O País