Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maputo (Fides Service)- The country is living a build up towards elections charged with tension but so far without unrest, local sources in Maputo the capital told Fides with regard to preparations for presidential elections on Wednesday 1 December.
“The people have been taking a lively part in the electoral campaign” the sources told Fides. “The majority Party FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) spared no effort in its campaign. In fact some Mozamibicans are wondering if the funds used for the FRELIMO campaign were only Party funds or also national funds”.
What ever happens the elections will mark the exit from the scene of President Joaquim Chissano, after 18 years of presidency. In his place FREMLINO is presenting, Party secretary general since 2002 Armando Guebuza a rich businessman with interests in various areas ranging from tourism to transport and financial services.
His main rival is Afonso Dhlakama, leader of RENAMO (Mozambican National Resistance) former rebel movement which signed peace agreements 1992 becoming the main opposition party.
In both previous elections in 1994 and 1999 Dhlakama, came second after Chissano and complained that he was a victim of electoral fraud. “Accusations of fraud are recurrent in elections here, but it must be said that despite the claims the parties never had recourse to violence or a new round of civil war. In this sense we can say that Mozambique is an example for the rest of Africa” the sources told Fides. “This time too, there are fears and rumours of fraud. But the elections will be monitored by more than 200 international observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth (of which Mozambique is the only non English-speaking member) the Carter Centre and the Southern African Community for Development” the sources told Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/11/2004 righe 30 words 355)
