Mozambique elections, province by province: Zambézia campaigns kick off with observers calling for peace

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Mozambique elections, province by province: Zambézia campaigns kick off with observers calling for peace

10:48 CAT | 04 Sep 2019

Frelimo campaign in Zambezia

In central Zambezia, analysts say the campaign has started in a civil environment. Civil society representatives are calling for continued calm, while observers are not seeing any firm favourite for the office of governor.

The heads of list of the three main parties are Manuel de Araújo for Renamo, Pio Matos for Frelimo, and Luís Boa Vida for the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM).

Mosambik RENAMO Partei Manuel de AraÃºjo (DW/M. Mueia) — *Renamo candidate Manuel de Araújo*

Building factories, restoring the province’s wealth and improving people’s lives were among the gubernatorial candidates’ promises in Zambezia.
Martialling his fans at the Chirangado football field in Quelimane, Renamo’s Manuel Araújo promised to invest in industry if elected.

“Since 1975, how many years have passed? But we never had the possibility to choose a son of the land to run the province. Zambezia was the richest province in the country, about one third of the wealth of this country was produced in Zambezia!” Manuel de Araújo said.

Provincial development and unity

Mosambik FRELIMO Partei Pio Matos (DW/M. Mueia) — *Frelimo candidate Pio Matos addresses voters on the Sagrada football field.*

Meanwhile, also in Quelimane, but on the Sagrada football field, Frelimo’s Pio Matos called for unity and the development of the province.

“My brothers, my sisters, my friends! This journey must be one of peace. Together, and united, we will fight poverty, we will create wealth and we will develop our province,” the ruling party candidate said

“A motivated Gurue population”

Luís Boa Vida, from the MDM, started his campaign away from the provincial capital, in Gurué district, northern Zambezia, where he had help from party president Daviz Simango.

Mosambik MDM Partei Daviz Simango (DW/M. Mueia) — *Daviz Simango, MDM president, went on campaign in the Gurué district, northern Zambezia.*

“Gurué’s population is from the MDM – and it is motivated!” Simango enthused. “The essential thing is for Mozambicans to vote on October 15, and to vote for the MDM, because, where the MDM rules, the life of the population improves,” he added.

The early days of the campaign were uneventful – a good sign, according to commentator Ricardo Raboco.

“Compared to past campaigns, this is a healthy start. The level of protection of the campaign caravans is much higher than in previous elections,” he notes.

Raboco told DW thinks that this enhanced security is an important part of preventing conflicts between different political parties. “Security measures in an unprecedented electoral fight that promises to be fought,” he concludes.

Inhabitants of Zambezia spare no criticism

But Zambezia citizens routinely claim electoral wrongdoing.

“I would like the elections to go well without dishonest fighting, but some parties cover the others’ posters, and stick leaflets on the others’ flags,” Feliz Mussa says. And Franquilim Júlio expresses the following wish: “I would like the campaign to be good, peaceful and quiet, so that when we reach the voting stage, we can vote without confusion.”

Source: Deutsche Welle