By Ricardo Dias
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Leaders of opposition parties, who met with President Filipe Nyusi this Monday in Maputo, reaffirmed their refusal to recognise the results of last October’s elections and demanded political dialogue.
The meeting was convened by President Nyusi to consult with political party leaders, particularly those represented in parliament. At the end of the meeting, Lutero Simango, president of the MDM, spoke on behalf of four parties: PODEMOS, RENAMO, Nova Democracia, and MDM.
Daniel Chapo, FRELIMO’s secretary-general and president-elect, was also present at the meeting but made no statements.
Simango stated that the four parties were unanimous in rejecting the election results and called for dialogue to implement reforms in the country.
“The parties reaffirmed their position of not recognising the election results but expressed openness to internal dialogue to discuss the political, economic, and social situation of the country,” Simango told journalists. “They committed to continuing collective discussions on the country’s reforms, as there is a need to establish a new social pact,” he added.
Simango also revealed that priority areas for dialogue would be mapped out next week.
In his opening remarks at the meeting with political leaders, President Nyusi emphasised the need for dialogue and stated that only Mozambicans could resolve their own problems to overcome the post-electoral crisis in Mozambique.
The results of the 9 October elections placed FRELIMO as the winner, with 171 out of 250 parliamentary seats. This relegated opposition parties represented in parliament to a symbolic role with no power to influence or negotiate government plans or legislative proposals.
Various observation groups, both domestic and international, including the European Union Election Observation Mission, described the elections as fraudulent.
The election results are being contested by all opposition leaders, particularly presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who has been leading a popular protest since October. More than 270 people have lost their lives since the protests began, most of them shot by police during clashes with demonstrators, according to the DECIDE platform.
Thousands of economic and social infrastructures have been destroyed, and some mining companies have been forced to close or suspend their operations. (RD)
