Mozambique: “There will be no shared governance,” analyst says

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Mozambique: “There will be no shared governance,” analyst says

1:29 CAT | 30 Sep 2016

DW (File photo) / President Filipe Nyusi

Only a presidential initiative could let Renamo nominees govern the provinces where the party claims electoral victory – in return for which Renamo would lay down its weapons. An analysis by historian Egidio Vaz.

In Mozambique, the largest opposition party has never ceased demanding that it govern in the six provinces where it claims victory in the general elections of 2014. But Renamo did not get a majority in all of them. The military confrontation involving armed Renamo combatants and the country’s security forces is a direct result of the government’s not accepting the claim. This is one of the controversial issues at the heart of the peace negotiations, and the subject of a DW Africa interview with historian Egidio Vaz.

DW Africa: It is legitimate for Renamo to govern in provinces without having obtained an absolute majority in them?

Egidio Vaz (EV): The Constitution certainly does not allow this, so it is not legitimate. But it is possible through a presidential initiative for Filipe Nyusi to satisfy the request and himself appoint governors. it would not be the first time it has happened. At the end of the troubled 1999 elections, Renamo similarly demanded it govern in these same six provinces. The solution then found was that Renamo would suggest six names to President Chissano and the government would suggest three names for each province and Dhlakama would choose five. But this secret plan was never implemented because of the scandal that followed. In Chibuto, Chissano said that, in fact, negotiations between the president of Renamo and the government had been about the [Renamo] party getting money. That was the final straw that scuppered the negotiating process.

DW Africa: Do you see the possibility a coalition being formed if the matter carries through?

EV: The negotiators’ proposal is that the President would provisionally appoint the governors where Renamo obtained a majority. In this case it would be a presidential initiative, so it would be Renamo people governing the provinces on behalf of the government of Mozambique, having demilitarisation in return. Meanwhile, the revision of the Constitution and other legislation to suit a more decentralised government structure would be underway.

DW Africa: And what would be the role of MDM (Democratic Movement of Mozambique]?

EV: No joy for the MDM in the process, to my misfortune and that of others, because Renamo does not like other players at the table, including non-partisan and civil society. According to Renamo, this is a subject that has only to do with the two parties [Renamo and Frelimo, the government].

DW Africa: But what about where there is a tie between the Frelimo and Renamo? A coalition then?

EV: I repeat: there will be no shared governance. The thought is a chimera. The Constitution will not allow it; neither will the president nor any leader of Frelimo allow for shared governance until the next elections. What will happen is that any transfer will go through a presidential initiative making the appointments to satisfy Renamo in return for the greater good, which is the demilitarisation of the Renamo.

Source: Deutsche Welle