Mozambican Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have expressed their readiness to play an active role in the Inclusive National Dialogue, whose public consultation process began on Monday, October 6, across the country and in the diaspora. The official launch took place in the city of Maputo, marking the start of a phase of citizen participation.
During the launch ceremony, the representative of the three CSOs — the Mozambican League of Non-Governmental Organizations, the Human Rights League, and the Forum of Community Radios of Mozambique — Sérgio Muchanga, called for organized participation from the organizations, ensuring that all will be consulted, both individually and collectively.
“We want to express to the Technical Commission, our Government, and the political parties that civil society is prepared and will actively participate in the national dialogue,” he stated.
The representative emphasized the importance of Mozambicans seizing this opportunity to contribute to the public consultation process. He explained that the Technical Commission will consider all proposals presented by CSOs, in an effort to ensure inclusion and representativeness. “We will be proactive; we are civil society organizations, and we represent our communities. We want their voices to be heard,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the representative of the signatory parties to the Political Commitment for an Inclusive National Dialogue, Ivone Soares, explained that the process is structured in four levels. The first, at the central level, took place on September 10 in Maputo, with the official launch ceremony presided over by the President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo. The second, at the provincial level, was launched on Monday in all provinces and in the city of Maputo.
The next two levels will cover the districts and the Mozambican diaspora, ensuring both national and international participation. The Technical Commission has also defined six stages for the Inclusive National Dialogue Program, starting with the public consultation phase, which runs from September to November of this year. This phase includes a literature review and comparative law studies.
The second stage consists of drafting proposals based on the systematization of materials collected during the consultations. This will be followed by a literature analysis by working groups, expected to conclude by March 2026. From April to June of the same year, the third stage will take place, focusing on public debate around the proposals compiled into a working document.
Between July and October 2026, the fourth stage will focus on building consensus and drafting proposed agreements. Subsequently, between November and December of the same year, these proposals will be submitted to the signatories of the Political Commitment for review, approval, and signing. Finally, between January and April 2027, the President of the Republic will present the legislative proposals to the National Assembly.
Ivone Soares added that the dialogue methodology includes bibliographic research, public debates, thematic sessions, meetings with prominent figures, and study visits. “Proposals and initiatives from individuals and organizations will also be very welcome,” she noted. Regarding the decision-making process, she emphasized that it will be guided by consensus-seeking and that “in the absence of consensus, all decisions must be approved by a three-quarters majority.”
Source: Mozambican News Agency (AIM)
