Mozambique: Podemos member shot dead in Búzi, Sofala province
Police trying to be neutral, so no candidate can blame them for loss – Hanlon
2:30 CAT | 26 Sep 2018
File photo: Notícias
In past elections, police have been accused of pro-Frelimo bias. This year the police general command has trained district and squad commanders in election and security and protection.
Because of past criticism, the training had a strong theme: “We do not want to be blamed for the failure of any candidate.”
And last week, Bernardino Rafael, police commander in chief, was touring the country. He met heads of lists and told them that the police would guarantee calm and tranquillity and help all candidates.
“We are prepared to accompany each party in the coming elections”, he said, addressing heads of lists of all the municipalities of Manica. “The main objective of the Police is to make the elections simpler and safer. … We count on your collaboration so that the electoral campaign does not turn into a bloodbath or involve destruction of property.”.
Not everyone believed him, and in Nampula the opposition said the police were still aligned with Frelimo and against them. Indeed, commander in chief Rafael’s tour seems aimed at his own police, reminding them of the need for neutrality.
By Joseph Hanlon
Source: Mozambique Political Process Bulletin
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