Quelimane: Araujo remains mayor and candidate – Hanlon

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Quelimane: Araujo remains mayor and candidate – Hanlon

5:05 CAT | 20 Sep 2018

File photo: Deutsche Welle

Manuel de Araujo submitted his appeal to the Administrative Tribunal (TA) on Monday, which automatically suspends the Council of Ministers (CM) decree that he had lost his post as mayor by standing for another party (from MDM to Renamo). Thus he remains head of the Renamo list and candidate to be re-elected Mayor of Quelimane.

Speaking to the Bulletin, Araujo said he was challenging the CM decree on two grounds. First, because the CM did not allow him to defend himself, which he says is required by law. Some lawyers contest that, saying the an official document which give irrefutable proof is enough. The law says a mayor loses their post if they stand for another list, and the Renamo list approved by the CNE is such an irrefutable document.

Second he argues that right to party membership is included in the constitution, and is part of free association, and thus a person cannot be penalised for changing parties.

The law does not give any time limit for the TA to consider the appeal. If it moves unusually quickly, and decides against him before the 10 October election day, he loses both his post and his place on the candidates list. But if not, he remains mayor and a candidate.

If he loses his appeal, he would be replaced by the second on the Renamo list, Latifo Charifo, who has been a previous Renamo candidate for mayor.

By Joseph Hanlon

Source: Mozambique Political Process Bulletin