The President of Mozambique today reiterated his call for a collective commitment to the implementation of the Political Dialogue Law aimed at reforms, stating that it will lead to a constitutional revision and help prevent the recurring post-election violence.
“We are living in times when the challenges to the democratic rule of law are becoming increasingly complex, and the risks to democracy are more evident—not only in Mozambique, but across the region, Africa, and the world. That is why we are being called upon to contribute to the implementation of the law that endorses the political commitment to an inclusive national dialogue,” said Mozambican President Daniel Chapo at the opening of a seminar marking 50 years of Mozambique’s Constitution, organized by the Constitutional Council.
Mozambican political parties represented in parliament and in municipal and provincial assemblies signed a political agreement with the President on March 5, aimed at state reforms. The agreement was later enacted into law by the Mozambican parliament.
In his speech at today’s seminar on 50 years of Mozambican constitutionalism, Daniel Chapo said that one of the key elements under discussion within the scope of the political agreement is the revision of the Constitution, focusing on “state reform, the political system, the powers of the President of the Republic, and the depoliticization of state institutions.”
Chapo also stated that the revision would address reform of the justice system, including the mechanisms for appointing its key figures, as well as reform of the electoral system, with the aim of ensuring “the integrity of all electoral processes, so that in the future there will be no more excuses that could lead people to violence.”
In the same speech, the Head of State pledged to take steps toward ensuring the financial independence of the judiciary: “We want to reaffirm our commitment, as Head of State, guarantor of the Constitution, and coordinator of the system of separation of powers, that we will do everything to strengthen and consolidate the long-desired independence of the judiciary, particularly financial independence, within the principles established by the Constitution.”
The political agreement for the pacification of Mozambique following the 2024 general elections, now enshrined in law by the Mozambican parliament, includes the creation of a 21-member technical commission—18 from political parties and three from civil society—to implement the political dialogue and guide the state reform discussions.
Mozambique experienced nearly five months of social unrest, with protests initially triggered by the disputed results of the October 9 elections, led by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane. The unrest left around 400 people dead.
Following the signing of the political agreement, President Daniel Chapo and Venâncio Mondlane met for the first time on March 23, agreeing on a commitment to end post-election violence in the country. They met again on May 21 to continue working on a roadmap for national pacification.
Source: Lusa
