Mozambique Elections: Renamo candidates Vahanle and Novinte back down and will cede power

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique Elections: Renamo candidates Vahanle and Novinte back down and will cede power

4:45 CAT | 06 Feb 2024

The commander-general of the Police of the Republic of Moçambique (PRM), Bernardino Rafael, with Nacala mayor, Raúl Novinte, and his successor, Faruk Nuro. [Image: DW]

Renamo mayors who threatened to make it impossible for Frelimo officials elected in the Mozambican province of Nampula to take office on October 11 say they will comply with constitutional procedures, though they remain dissatisfied.

The new mayors in Mozambique take office for a five-year term tomorrow, Wednesday (07-02).

In the province of Nampula, the mayors of Nampula and Nacala, Paulo Vahanle and Raúl Novinte, both from the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), had said that they would not hand over office to their opponents, as they considered that there were irregularities in the local elections held on October 11.

But, less than two days before inauguration day, Vahanle and Novinte have backed down.

Raúl Novinte, president of the Municipal Council of Nacala, the economic capital of Nampula province, announced that he would give up his place to Faruk Nuro, from the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), although he is not satisfied, commenting, “We have nothing else to do but comply with the national guidelines of the Constitutional Council”.

Vahanle.dw_ — *Paulo Vahanle on voting day.*

Threats from campaign times

“Since the Constitutional Council has already approved [the results of the October local elections], we have no [alternative] but to do what is necessary,” Novinte told journalists, taking the opportunity to dispel “some misconceptions” about his party’s previous position.

“The issue of not handing over the keys was an issue, in fact, that was politically pronounced during the campaign, before the Constitutional Council’s decision,” he explained.

The acting mayor of the city of Nacala said that the ceremonies for the transition of power, scheduled for Wednesday, were already being prepared.

Renamo mayor of Nampula, Paulo Vahanle, also admitted to DW, though without recording an interview, that he would hand over power peacefully, although he reiterated that he was the legitimate winner of the last elections.

Prm.dw_-1 — *Bernardino Rafael in parade in Nacala-Porto*

Police ready to intervene

The Mozambican police say they are prepared to ensure public order and tranquillity when the 65 new mayors take office this Wednesday.

Last week, the general commander of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), Bernardino Rafael, led a graduation ceremony for all the corporation’s specialties in Nacala-Porto, one of the places where conflict on the day of the investitures is feared.

On the occasion, he reassured the Nacalenses and Mozambicans in general.

“We want to ensure tranquillity during the festivities, we don’t want to be forced to throw tear gas or push someone,” he said. “The inauguration of the mayors and members of the municipal assemblies must be a great celebration for Mozambicans.”

Population has come to terms

Gamito dos Santos, analyst and provincial coordinator of the Mozambican Network of Human Rights Defenders, foresees an orderly ceremony, because he believes that the population has come to terms with the results of the local elections, despite allegations of irregularities in the process.

“After the speeches by the opposition parties, the entire population is now convinced that there is nothing left to do but let everything happen as per legal procedures,” he said.

DW contacted the three main political parties with parliamentary seats in Nampula, but it was not possible to obtain a reaction on Wednesday’s inauguration. Some promised to comment later, although they did not say when.

Source: Deutsche Welle