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Chapo still needs Mondlane

The president and even opposition politicians may be ready to leave Venâncio Mondlane behind, but the country is not

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News

Good afternoon. Yesterday, President Daniel Chapo held another meeting with opposition party leaders to discuss the political crisis (this newsletter mistakenly claimed that the meeting had been postponed until Wednesday). Once again, opposition politician Venâncio Mondlane was not invited. Apparently Chapo thinks that he can resolve the crisis without Mondlane, since afterwards he announced “terms of reference” for negotiations, to include electoral reform and decentralisation of government power.

Mondlane, who has been single-handedly orchestrating protests against the government for three months now, is arguably the second most powerful person in Mozambican politics after Chapo, and some would argue the most powerful. He still has a great many supporters who agree that he, not Chapo, is the legitimately elected president. But, despite having previously shown signs of wanting to hold talks with him, it seems that Chapo has decided to do without Mondlane. This may also be reflected in the new ministerial appointments Chapo has made (see below): all the new ministers come from within ruling party Frelimo, ending speculation that Chapo might be about to invite opposition politicians, possibly even Mondlane himself, to serve in his government.

The opposition leaders meanwhile seem to have dropped their insistence that Mondlane needs to be present at these talks, for reasons that remain unclear. Chapo’s tone in a speech yesterday suggests that he is taking a harder line with Mondlane and is more prepared to treat him as a criminal rather than someone to negotiate with. 

Of course, while that may be Chapo’s strategy, he cannot simply ignore Mondlane at this stage. The fact that Mondlane’s supporters continue to successfully prevent the charging of tolls on highways (see below) demonstrates his ongoing power, and aside from the toll dispute, there have been other anti-government protests across the country.

If businesses do not think that peace has returned to Mozambique, the government will not get the economic growth and tax revenue it so desperately needs. And without talking to Mondlane, it is hard to see how the government can persuade its many angry opponents to stop protesting.

From the Zitamar Live Blog:

Zitamar Mozambique Live Blog
Mozambique’s Council of Ministers has today approved payment of the bonus monthly salary payment for public employees, known as the “13th salary”. Public servants are to receive 50% of base salary and pensioners are to receive the full monthly pension amount. The measure does not apply to political office holders including ministers, members of parliament and provincial governors, or to members of the boards of state-owned companies. Public sector workers in education and healthcare went on strike recently demanding payment of the bonus.
Zitamar Mozambique Live Blog
💥 Islamic State-backed insurgents attacked the village of Pundanhar in the Palma district of Cabo Delgado province on Sunday, burning several homes and looting goods and food. One person was shot by a stray bullet but there were no reported fatalities. The Rwanda Defence Force operates a base in the village. This marks the first attack in Palma since September last year.

Agenda:

  • Today: Council of Ministers’ weekly meeting
  • Today: Foreign minister Maria Lucas attends the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Today’s headlines:

  • Chapo announces agreement with parties for reforms (O País, AIM)
  • Protesters stop Revimo collecting tolls in Maputo (AIM, Integrity)
  • Prosecutors say action launched over Venâncio Mondlane's “presidential decree” (Lusa, Carta de Moçambique, Lusa)
  • Six more ministers appointed by Chapo, leaving one vacancy (VOA, O País)
  • Mozambican arrested in Tanzania on terrorist charges (press release)
  • Central bank changes meant to revive economy (O País, Carta de Moçambique)
  • Chapo discusses gas project with TotalEnergies (X)
  • Port of Maputo begins $2bn expansion (Reuters)

Chapo announces agreement with parties for reforms (O País, AIM)

The government and the opposition political parties represented in parliament and the provincial assemblies have reached a consensus on the terms of reference for reforms to how Mozambique is run, President Daniel Chapo has announced. Chapo said that the reforms would support the country’s political, economic and social stability. Speaking after the meeting with the party leaders, he added that the priorities included revising the electoral law and strengthening the decentralisation process.

The full terms of reference have not been published.

Protesters stop Revimo collecting tolls in Maputo (AIM, Integrity)

Revimo, the company that manages tolling on Maputo’s ring road, yesterday failed in its attempt to resume toll collection after it had been interrupted for more than two months. Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has been calling for the tolls to be suspended. Motorists refused to pay the tolls and some people took to the streets to prevent collection. The biggest clash was at the KaTembe municipal district tollgate, where riot police fired tear gas grenades to disperse the demonstrators.  Motorists also refused to pay at the Matola tollbooth, which is controlled by the South African company Trans Africa Concessions.

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