The European Union (EU) announced on Friday, June 6, that it will provide financial support to two civil society organizations (CSOs) that will assist the Technical Committee established as part of the political dialogue aimed at state reforms, according to the Lusa news agency.
“Our financial support is directed towards a project by two civil society organizations. This is an indirect support to the committee, as, due to the way we work, we believe the fastest path is to act through this project of the two organizations,” said the EU ambassador, Antonino Maggiore, in Maputo.
The diplomat stated that the EU will support the Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) and the Civil Society Support Mechanism Foundation (MASC), organizations involved in a project that aims to provide technical assistance in various areas to political parties and other members of the Technical Committee. “The EU believes in this political process and sees it as a unique and historic opportunity for the country to face its challenges and modernize through reforms. Therefore, we welcome this entirely Mozambican-led process, promoted and achieved by political parties with the inclusion of civil society,” said the ambassador, expressing hope that the ongoing dialogue process will “stabilize the country.”
The issue at hand is the political commitment to pacify the country following the 2024 general elections, which was enacted into law by the parliament and includes the creation of a 21-member Technical Committee — 18 from political parties and three appointed by civil society — to operationalize the political dialogue and discussions on state reforms, with a budget of 91.4 million meticais, to be provided by the government and the parties.
On April 30, when announcing the creation and approval of the terms of reference for selecting three civil society representatives within the framework of the political dialogue with party leaders who signed the March 5 political commitment, President Daniel Chapo stated that civil society members must be individuals of “recognized merit, responsibility, and competence.”
The law establishing the political commitment for inclusive national dialogue stipulates that the three civil society representatives will be appointed by the Technical Committee based on nominations from civil society.
On May 29, the Electoral Consortium More Integrity, which brings together national civil society organizations, proposed a public call to select the three civil society representatives to join the Technical Committee as part of the ongoing political dialogue.
Source: Diário Económico
