Mozambique: ‘Worsening political intolerance’ ahead of elections – civil society | Watch

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Mozambique: ‘Worsening political intolerance’ ahead of elections – civil society | Watch

3:49 CAT | 27 Sep 2024

Screen grab_ Sala da Paz

The Sala da Paz, which brings together civil society organisations for electoral observation in Mozambique, on Thursday warned of “worsening political intolerance” and called for “less participation” by minors in the campaign for the 9 October elections.

“There is a record of acts of political intolerance in which the local business community is the protagonist, especially those operating in the hotel and tourism sector, which in a discriminatory way has been preventing and refraining from providing hotel services to representatives of some political groupings,” Teresa Xavier, from the Association of Women in the Media, which is part of the Sala da Paz (Peace Room) platform, denounced today.

At a press conference to present the report on the first 30 days of the election campaign, she said that “the most serious cases” of political intolerance were registered in the provinces of Sofala, Manica, Inhambane, Nampula and Tete.

“The cases of political intolerance tend to get worse, with recent cases linked to the destruction of propaganda material, the burning of vehicles and the homes of members of political parties,” said Teresa Xavier, adding that the platform is concerned about the occurrence of electoral offences and the vandalising of propaganda material, especially in Sofala province, which has seen the most cases.

The civil society organisation also denounced the participation of minors, noting that it observed their involvement in 44 % of “vote hunting” events.

“Of this number, 27% appeared to be voluntarily involved in campaign activities and another 17% appeared to have received party instructions to do so. Children and teenagers have been seen carrying flags and actively participating in rallies,” she said.

Also in its report, Sala da Paz once again denounced the involvement of civil servants in campaign activities, noting that the use of public resources persists, especially by political groupings with representation in the Mozambican parliament.

“The provinces of Nampula, Inhambane and Gaza have seen the highest number of irregularities of this nature, in which the Peace Room has noted that the Frelimo party, although with some reduction in cases in the first fortnight of the election campaign, continues to be the party that benefits most from the use of public goods and officials,” said Teresa Xavier.

Mozambique is holding presidential elections on 9 October, which will take place at the same time as legislative elections and elections for governors and provincial assemblies.

More than 17 million voters are registered to vote, including 333,839 registered abroad, according to official figures.

Running for the presidency are Daniel Chapo, supported by the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), Ossufo Momade, supported by the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), the largest opposition party, Lutero Simango, supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third largest parliamentary force, and Venâncio Mondlane, supported by the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos).

Source: Lusa