Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo has again met with the leaders of the four opposition parties with seats in parliament.
Chapo told journalists that he and the four leaders met to draft terms of reference that will guide state reforms, including changes to the constitution and the electoral law, deemed necessary following the political unrest that engulfed the country after the opposition accused the ruling Frelimo party and the electoral authorities of rigging the 9 October 2024 elections.
According to Chapo, the political dialogue seeks to avoid a repeat of the political unrest that resulted in the death of over 300 people, hundreds of injured, destruction of both public and private property, and looting.
The subsequent step is to “open this dialogue to all social strata, civil society, the private sector, and community and religious leaders, the public sector and the media,” he said.
However, sections of civil society have criticised Chapo for not involving his main nemesis, opposition politician Venâncio Mondlane, who emerged as a formidable opponent seemingly with huge popular support. Indeed, since the announcement of the most fraudulent results in Mozambique’s democratic elections, Mondlane has asked his supporters to take to the streets, and he fled the country when it became dangerous for him but continued to reach his supporters via live broadcasts on social media, in a showdown with the regime.
Recently, Chapo denied reports that there was a “mutual friend” serving as a go-between between him and Mondlane.
Mondlane had been quoted on the 15 January online edition of the New York Times as saying that he had communicated with Chapo “through a mutual friend”, expressing that he hoped they would negotiate a resolution to end the political and agree to his (Mondlane’s) proposed reforms.
Speaking to CNN Portugal, Chapo said “I heard of the contacts, but this common friend has yet to contact me. However, I’m certain that he will and when he does, we will know what message he brings, and we can take it from there.”
Comment
Observers have pointed out that Chapo and Frelimo are not interested in holding talks with Mondlane, having already held on to power. Instead, Chapo has focused on engaging with the parliamentary opposition, adhering to its tried and tested approach to power consolidation and crisis management.
In power since independence in 1975, Frelimo has relied on state institutions to project an image of democratic governance while ruling with an iron fist over all aspects of political, economic and social life in Mozambique. Sources argue that by engaging with parties that hold parliamentary seats, Frelimo wishes to portray itself as holding talks with recognised political stakeholders while sidelining Mondlane, who derives his power from grassroots mobilization rather than institutional authority.
This strategy appears aimed at buying enough time to consolidate power under Chapo’s leadership while presenting a façade of openness to dialogue, which would enable it to manage domestic and international scrutiny without addressing the root causes of unrest.
Observers have pointed out that excluding Mondlane from meaningful discussions risks exacerbating political tensions. Indeed, Mondlane has continued to deliver his messages to his supporters and has visited several sites that were hotspots at the height of the unrest, where he is welcomed by large crowds.
Mondlane has issued a slew of meaures, including a halt to payment of tolls for using roads coming into the city. As such, his supporters have refused to pay the toll fees, with some motorists smashing through the gates to pass unimpeded. If his base of support, particularly among disillusioned voters and marginalized communities, see Chapo and Frelimo as not changing their stance, they could become more radicalised, leading to heightened protests, strikes, or even localised violence.
Inadvertently, Mondlane’s marginalisation would strenghten his position as a symbol of resistance, which could galvanise his supporters and attract new allies to his cause.
Without meaningful dialogue, the political landscape in Mozambique could become even more fragmented, with Mondlane operating outside institutional frameworks. This fragmentation could weaken governance, making it more challenging to address the country’s pressing socio-economic and security challenges.
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