The president of the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo, in power), Daniel Chapo, who is also head of state, today called for the involvement of the whole of society in the materialisation of the political agreement for peace and national reconciliation.
‘We continue to bet on constructive, inclusive and sincere dialogue with all political parties and the living forces of society so that peace and reconciliation become a reality in Mozambique,’ said Daniel Chapo in his closing speech at the 4th ordinary session of Frelimo’s Central Committee (CC) in Matola, on the outskirts of Maputo.
‘We are encouraged by the fact that the CC has positively appreciated the spirit and the letter of the compromise [reached with the parties and civil society organisations], and we reiterate our call to all Mozambicans for their full involvement in the materialisation of the agreement, which is not the agreement of the parties, but the agreement of the Mozambican people, which is not just the end, but the beginning of an inclusive national dialogue of all Mozambicans,’ he said.
The Law of Commitment for Inclusive National Dialogue was approved on Wednesday in the Assembly of the Republic, unanimously and by acclamation, with the aim of pacifying the country after almost five months of demonstrations and protests that caused around 360 deaths, following the general elections on 9 October.
Daniel Chapo emphasised that his approval ‘is a clear indication of the convergence among Mozambicans on the need to put an end to violence and hatred’.
Daniel Chapo was elected the fifth Mozambican President in a context of strong protest and social unrest, in protests called by the then presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane – who does not recognise the election results.
‘It became clear during the session that the primary cause of these demonstrations was not to contest the election results, because these demonstrations were unleashed long before the election results were announced, in a meticulous way to destabilise our country and strangle our economy, the economy of the Mozambican people. And even after the real electoral truth was known, which was the clear and expressive victory of Frelimo and its candidate, the country continued to witness the manipulation of national and international public opinion about the electoral truth in Mozambique,’ Chapo criticised.
He insisted that the ‘violent, illegal and criminal’ post-election demonstrations were intended to be used as an ‘instrument to destroy Frelimo’.
‘However, the successful holding of this session clearly demonstrates that Frelimo is here, firm, ever stronger and convinced of its ideals, because Frelimo is the people,’ he said.
Chapo added that the ‘analysis of the political, economic and social situation’ during the CC meeting made it possible to ‘reinforce the conviction that, despite the current great challenges’, ‘Mozambique continues to be a viable country with the potential to resume economic growth and development, an essential condition for the development and prosperity’ of the people.
This CC session took place at Frelimo’s Central School and essentially analysed internal management issues, including reports from the party’s structures and the proposed Plan of Activities and Budget for 2025.
The meeting also aimed to analyse the government’s proposed Five-Year Programme (2025-2029) and the proposed Economic and Social Plan and State Budget for 2025, both of which have already been submitted to Parliament.
The 254 effective members of Frelimo’s Central Committee met again after unsurprisingly choosing Daniel Chapo as party president and Chakil Aboobakar as secretary-general in February, following a vote in the main body between congresses.
The Mozambican President took over the leadership of Frelimo on 14 February, having been the sole candidate to succeed Filipe Nyusi’s ten-year leadership of the country and the party.
