Mozambique: Chapo calls for sustainable development of municipalities
Former president Chissano criticizes polarisation of peace talks in Mozambique
11:52 CAT | 23 Dec 2016
Lusa (File photo) / Joaquim Chissano
Former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano on Wednesday criticized the polarisation of peace talks, saying that the solution to Mozambique’s political problem would require deep and inclusive debate about the model of governance the people want.
“The dialogue we have today is of two political parties, but the solution is to be found by all,” said the former head of the Mozambican state on the sidelines of a end-of-year ceremony in the Ponta Vermelha palace, the president’s official residence.
According to Chissano, the polarisation of the negotiation process to end the political and military crisis between the government and Renamo, the main opposition party, will only prolong a problem whose solution requires the involvement of other political parties as well as the people generally.
“This process is much more complex than we think,” said Chissano, who points to the internalization of democratic norms among Mozambicans as a basic prerequisite for the rule of law.
In addition to a “concrete definition” of the model that the country needs, Chissano says that the decentralization demanded by the opposition “will take a long time” and, far from just a constitutional revision, the information on the relevance of this change must be taken to the people.
“There may be inclusion, but it is necessary that all this be defined beforehand, through serious and thorough work throughout the country,” the former head of state said, adding that “much time is wasted discussing who will govern here or there, while the priority should be, what do Mozambicans really want?”.
Mozambique is experiencing a political and military crisis marked by clashes in the center of the country between the armed wing of the main opposition party and security forces, as well as mutual accusations of abductions and assassinations of political leaders by both sides.
Renamo accuses the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo) of having vitiated the 2014 election, the latest in more than 40 years of Frelimo rule, and demands it govern in the six provinces where it claims victory.
Mozambican authorities have blamed Renamo for attacks on civilian targets and ambushes on main roads in the centre of the country, where circulation is conditional on mandatory military escorts. Despite the violence, the government and Renamo have been conducting negotiations in Maputo, but no progress has been made.
Source: Lusa
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