Mozambique: “The MDM is moribund,” says Lutero Simango

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Mozambique: “The MDM is moribund,” says Lutero Simango

8:27 CAT | 24 Nov 2021

Picture: DW

In the race for the leadership of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique, Lutero Simango says that, without him, the MDM has no leverage. Delegates at the party’s third Congress, in December, will decide who the new leader will be.

Lutero Simango said this weekend in Quelimane that the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) is “moribund”, but that he is prepared to lead the party, and is the only person capable of doing so. Otherwise, the party will be engulfed by the political crisis, he said.

Lutero Mbepo Simango has in reality been in the party’s internal electoral race since before the official announcement of candidacies in September. People in all parts of Zambézia were already talking about him.

Mdmq.fb_ — *Members of the MDM gathered this weekend*.

“Measuring popularity”

Simango was in Quelimane this Saturday (20-11) measuring his level of popularity and his support within the party. There, he held meetings with all elements and members who will participate in the party’s III Congress in Beira on December 3rd.

Lutero Simango spoke to DW Africa about the need to revitalise inclusive politics so as to avoid heavy electoral defeats, as happened in the municipal and general elections of 2018 and 2019.

“Expectations are good, and it is known that we are circulating in all the provincial delegations,” he said. “We are in permanent contact with the political bases. We will have good results in the third congress, and clarity is needed in party governance. We are democratic.”

Lutero Simango is the older brother of Daviz Simango, the former leader of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), who died in February in South Africa after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Read: Watch: Thousands take to the streets in Beira during Daviz Simango’s funeral ceremonies

Davvizf.dw_.dw_ — *Funeral of Daviz Simango, who died in February this year.*

“Anxious”

He now says he is anxious to see how voters for Daviz’s successor will respond. In recent months, he has gained a lot of support from members of the political movement.

There are two hypotheses, he said. Either the party continues moribund, or it gains leverage with Lutero Simango at its head, making it “capable of representing Mozambicans”. “Our candidacy is about ideas, not gossip,” he explained.

One of his competitors for the MDM presidency is José Domingos, the current party secretary general. Another possible contender is Silvério Ronguane.

Six hundred delegates are expected at the III MDM Congress, which will take place from 3 to 5 December and where the next president of the party will be elected.

Source: Deutsche Welle