Mozambique: Armed attacks dominate speeches in Parliament

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Armed attacks dominate speeches in Parliament

6:11 CAT | 16 Oct 2020

Photo: Noticias

Peace in the centre of the country and an end to terrorist attacks in the north dominated opening speeches at the second session of Parliament, on a day when Renamo promised “not to allow any more electoral fraud in the country”.

Yesterday (15.10) marked the first anniversary of Mozambique’s fourth general elections, and the first at provincial level. The parliamentary bench of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) announced that it would not allow any more electoral fraud in the country, as had been seen in previous elections.

The position of the largest Mozambican opposition party was laid out during the opening ceremony of the parliamentary session, this Thursday (15.10), which was dominated by calls from all three benches for peace in the centre of the country, and by the condemnation of the insurgent attacks in Cabo Delgado, in the north.

Renamo chief whip Viana Magalhães denounced cyclical fraud in elections in Mozambique as an attack on democracy which undermined the peace agreements signed in the country.

“From now on, we will be energetic and relentless against those involved in this electoral crime. The beginning of this decade will be a milestone in the relentless fight against vote theft,” he warned.

The Renamo MP also demanded that measures are taken to promote social inclusion and an end to the alleged kidnappings and murders of members of his own party.

Parliamentary commission of inquiry divides benches

The Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) and Renamo benches again diverged on the need for a parliamentary commission of inquiry to monitor the social, political and military situation in Manica and Sofala (centre) and Cabo Delgado (north) provinces, and investigate alleged human rights violations there.

While Renamo advocates the creation of a parliamentary commission, Frelimo, the majority party, considers the existing Parliamentary Commission for Constitutional Affairs, Human Rights and Legality competent to carry out any investigation.

“Renamo is not at this moment part of the mission which has been deployed on the ground,” Frelimo whip Sérgio Pantie said. “This is not surprising, since this party characteristically shies away from the search for solutions when called upon by the motherland.”

Constructive dialogue with the Military Junta

For its part, the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) argued that the government should inform Mozambicans, via Parliament, about the measures undertaken to combat the alleged jihadists.

Speaking about the situation in the centre of the country, MDM whip Lutero Simango, representing the country’s second-largest opposition party, said that armed violence in the region must end through dialogue involving the Renamo Military Junta.

“The opening of dialogue must be led in a constructive way, so that there is an engagement with dignity and honour from all elements of the [dissident Renamo] Military Junta in the pacification process and their participation in demobilisation, social reintegration and participation as free citizens,” Simango said.

The MD whip also called for the resumption of the debate on the country’s decentralisation process, arguing that the powers of the elected governors had been compromised.

Covid-19 also deserved opposition attention

As part of the fight against Covid 19, the MDM parliamentary bench called for the creation by the government of a special fund for families on low incomes, and the requalification of the informal sector in the context of fighting the economic impact of the pandemic.

The Renamo whip also demanded an end to the direct award of contracts signed in response to the pandemic, on the grounds that such a practice was conducive to corruption.

The present session of Parliament will consider 31 matters over the next two months, including a report by the on the general state of the nation, the approval of the asset recovery law and the election of the new National Elections Commission [CNE] .

The Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD), a civil society organization, this Thursday (15.10) advocated “urgent” improvements in the current Law of the National Elections Commission, stating that the current document “presents legal and technical deficiencies which demand improvement”.

Source: Deutsche Welle