Riyaz Patel
Polls have opened in Mozambique, where some 13 million people are voting in the country’s presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections which is viewed as key to consolidating a fragile peace in the southern African nation.
Mozambique, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975, is still suffering from the effects of a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992.
The ruling party Frelimo, which has been in power since independence, is widely expected to win the elections.
The main opposition party Renamo, however, could make ground in key states where, for the first time, provincial governors will be elected.
President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade inked a landmark peace deal in August.
“The signing of this agreement will pave way for peaceful elections,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa in Maputo.
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While Nyusi is all but certain to be re-elected president, the peace deal has given Renamo hope of winning more political power in a country dominated by Frelimo since independence.
Under the deal, provincial governors will now be picked by the main party in each province, rather than the government in Maputo, and Renamo is banking on traditional provincial strongholds such as Sofala to gain influence.
However, the opposition party’s leaders face dissent as a military faction refuses to disarm despite peace agreements.
“It means that after the elections there are still armed men there from Renamo who might be willing again to go back to the bush and fight the governing party in order to make political gains,” said Zenaida Machado of Human Rights Watch Mozambique.
Renamo has accused Frelimo of resorting to unfair tactics during a violent campaign that has left seven dead and hundreds more injured.
While 76 European Union observers have been deployed for Tuesday’s vote, it’s a drop in the ocean for a country larger than any in Europe.
Last Monday, the head of Mozambique’s poll observer mission was shot dead in a Frelimo stronghold.
Reports said gunmen fired several shots at Anastacio Matavele as he was driving away from a workshop in Xai-Xai, the capital of the southeastern Gaza province.
“He was immediately taken to hospital, where he was confirmed dead,” said Sala da Paz, a group that monitors election-related violence.
Additional reporting by agencies.
