Mondlane Critiques Political Agreement in Mozambique, Promises Protests
Venâncio Mondlane criticized a political agreement in Mozambique, claiming it excludes the populace and promising daily protests for five years. The agreement, intended to address state reforms following the post-election crisis, will be signed today by the president and major political parties, yet critics emphasize the lack of representation. Ongoing unrest, rising costs, and electoral disputes have led to significant fatalities and injuries during protests across the country.
Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has publicly criticized a forthcoming political agreement, claiming it is an agreement “without the people.” He vowed to organize daily protests for the next five years in response to this perceived exclusion during a march in Maputo’s Magoanine neighborhood. His remarks highlight concerns about the legitimacy of political dialogue when the populace is not adequately represented.
Today, the Mozambican president and major political parties will gather at the Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre to sign an agreement aimed at state reforms. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to resolve the post-election crisis in Mozambique. The signatories include parliamentary parties such as the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), the Renamo party, and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), as well as the non-parliamentary Nova Democracia.
Despite the president’s assurances of expanding the dialogue to include various societal segments, critics point to Mondlane’s absence at the negotiating table as a significant oversight. Mondlane, who received the second-highest votes in the most recent election, has been vocal about contesting the outcomes declared by the Constitutional Council. His lack of involvement raises questions regarding the inclusiveness of the political process.
In his speech, Mondlane declared an intention to hold a notable 1,825 days of demonstrations from 2025 to 2030 to persuade the government to listen to the people’s demands. He stated, “If you don’t do what the people want, you won’t govern in Mozambique,” emphasizing the need for governmental accountability.
Since October, Mozambique has been marred by social unrest, with previous demonstrations diminishing in scale but continuing due to rising living costs and dissatisfaction with the election results favoring Daniel Chapo. The protests have resulted in at least 353 fatalities and approximately 3,500 injuries, according to the NGO Decide. Government reports confirm at least 80 deaths and significant property damage, including thousands of destroyed businesses, schools, and health facilities.
In conclusion, the political agreement set to be signed in Mozambique has faced considerable criticism from Venâncio Mondlane, who argues it lacks genuine representation of the populace. His call for extensive demonstrations signals a significant challenge to the government, particularly in light of the ongoing social unrest and demands for accountability. The situation reflects deep-seated issues in Mozambican politics that remain unresolved, underscoring the necessity for inclusive dialogue and meaningful reform.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
