The country has been the scene of demonstrations since the announcement of the results of the general elections (held on 9 October), which have degenerated into violent clashes between demonstrators and the police, culminating in the vandalisation of public and private property, as well as the paralysis of all activities, severely affecting the economy.
The private sector, which is one of the most affected by the current situation, met with the main political parties on Thursday afternoon, 12 December, with a view to finding possible solutions to the post-election crisis.
On the occasion, the president of the Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA), Agostinho Vuma, explained that the aim of the meeting was to ‘convey the concerns, worries and despair of our business class in the face of the events that have been going on for more than 45 days, which are characterised by episodes that have paralysed productive activity, undermined the survival of our companies and the service we provide to society, including the provision of jobs and consumer products. We are addressing the heads of the political parties because we know that you are valid interlocutors and leaders for our society. We know that your voice and mobilising capacity move the masses. But we also come to you with the certainty that no political actor will be able to materialise any of its governing agendas without the unavoidable role of the private sector,’ he said, calling on the 35 political parties belonging to the Frente Amplio (Broad Opposition Front) to play a more active role in the dialogue to restore social stability.
Agostinho Vuma explained that no economy can register notable growth without the intervention of the productive sector. ‘The vandalisations and work stoppages we have been witnessing will forever be a setback for our economy, a setback that will take years to recover from, no matter who wins the elections we have contested,’ he warned.
Also in his speech, the president of the CTA referred to the danger that lies in the constant paralyses of economic activity, stressing that these are eliminating the culture of work in Mozambican society. ‘This habit of working only two days a week is endangering the culture of work in a country that lacks qualified labour and is dependent on foreign aid,’ he said.
For the business organisation, the demonstrations are not driven by ‘electoral truth’, but by the high cost of living faced by citizens. ‘A brief survey carried out in the cities of Maputo and Matola made us realise that most of the demonstrators don’t even know what electoral truth is. The population is thirsty for jobs, better living conditions and decent care in hospitals. Those who take to the streets every day complain about hunger and the high cost of living,’ said the head of the CTA.
What are the politicians saying?
As president of the Broad Opposition Front, Lutero Simango informed the businessmen of the position of the political parties. ‘The restart is a national imperative so that reforms can be implemented in our state, including in the judicial system,’ he said, emphasising that ’for the private business sector to succeed, it needs a judicial system free from political control.’
The politician, who is also leader of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) party, explained that there are various solutions that can be found for the current situation in the country. ‘The biggest challenge is to find one that satisfies the popular will expressed at the polls on 9 October. We understand the mission that business has in our country, which, as well as creating its own income, also meets the needs of the population. We also believe that the private sector should operate in an environment free from political attention,’ he said.
Lutero Simango reiterated the willingness of the political parties to negotiate a possible truce, because he recognises that if the current situation continues ‘it will get out of the control of the politicians, since the country is experiencing a situation of generalised saturation of the people, which exists because citizens, particularly young people, are being marginalised.’
Lutero Simango
Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane called for a new phase of electoral contestation lasting a week (which ended on Wednesday) in ‘all the neighbourhoods’ of Mozambique, with the paralysis of car traffic from 8h00 to 16h00.
As was the case in the previous phase, from 27 to 29 November, Mondlane asked that vehicles stop moving from 8am to 3.30pm, so that for the next 30 minutes the anthems of Mozambique and Africa could be sung in the streets.
The announcement by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) on 24 October of the results of the elections on the 9th of the same month, in which it awarded victory to Daniel Chapo, supported by the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo, the party in power since 1975) in the election for Mozambican President, with 70.67% of the votes, sparked popular protests, called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, which have degenerated into violent clashes with the police.
According to the CNE, Mondlane came second with 20.32%, but the latter does not recognise the results, which still have to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.
Text: Nário Sixpene
