CIVICUS discusses Mozambique’s recent election with Umar Aly, a development specialist and member of the National Union of Students (UNE), a platform of Mozambican student associations and a CIVICUS Digital Democracy Initiative partner.
Votes are still being counted, but it’s already clear that Mozambique’s 9 October general election was marked by low voter turnout, estimated at around 35 per cent. Although President Filipe Nyusi of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms, there are no real prospects of the party losing power. Early returns put FRELIMO’s Daniel Chapo in first place, followed by independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane, with Ossufo Momade of the main opposition party, the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO), third. There have been allegations of vote-rigging and manipulation.
