The Mozambican President (PR), Filipe Nyusi, called on the Constitutional Council (CC) to ensure legality and justice in electoral disputes, stressing that this is a fundamental right of the Mozambican people.
According to a publication by the Mozambican Information Agency (AIM), Nyusi made the statement this Wednesday (11) in Maputo, shortly after swearing in the president of the CC, Lúcia Ribeiro, and the recently sworn-in judge counsellors.
In his speech, the President recalled that the new members take up their posts at a crucial time, in the midst of the campaign phase for the 9 October elections.
‘The judges of the CC take office coincidentally at a crucial moment for the country, because the electoral process is taking place in the campaign phase for the general elections that are approaching,’ he said.
The government official reiterated that the CC’s biggest challenge will be to guarantee legality and justice in the elections, highlighting the essential role of this body in preserving the unitary state, while also emphasising the importance of citizens’ civic participation and democratic control of institutions as pillars of modern democracies.
‘Mozambicans want affirmation of their choice and are not asking for favours or gifts, the will of the people must come to pass,’ he stressed.
With the growing participation of actors in the electoral process, the CC’s responsibility to ensure that all disputes are resolved on the basis of the law also increases. However, Nyusi warned of the complexity of this task, given that there is not always a full understanding of how the electoral process works, which can lead to misunderstandings and undue pressure on judges.
‘In a competition, everyone is preparing to win. The judge must work with regulations, that is, with what is legislated so that justice is guaranteed,’ he emphasised.
The PR also addressed the phenomenon of society anticipating decisions, recognising that although the CC’s jurisprudence is gaining consistency, this can generate instability or undue pressure.
Nyusi also took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of the CC promoting greater interaction with society, educating those involved in the electoral process and ensuring that they act with knowledge and responsibility
Finally, he reiterated that it is up to the CC to reaffirm its commitment to the Mozambican people and to the demands of the role for which they have been invested.
