Cloud hangs over Moz poll

FEAR: BREAKAWAY RENAMO GROUP IS THREAT

Mozambique began voting in a general election yesterday that some fear could test the fragile peace, after a heated campaign marred by violence and allegations of electoral fraud. The Frelimo party, which has ruled since independence from Portugal in 1975, is widely expected to again beat its former civil war foe, Renamo, a rebel group turned main opposition party.

President Filipe Nyusi, who cast his ballot at a school in the capital, Maputo, as polls opened at 7am, called on voters to show “the world we stand for democracy and tolerance”.

“Mozambique has chosen to move forward peacefully,” the Frelimo leader said, adding that more than 4 000 observers had been deployed in the most-watched election in the country’s history.

Opinion polls predict Nyusi, 60, will win a second five-year term, despite his popularity taking a hit from chronic unrest and a financial crisis linked to alleged state corruption. About 13 million of Mozambique’s 30 million citizens are registered to vote in elections for the presidency, parliament and provincial governors.

After 44 years at the helm, Frelimo will likely see its stranglehold on power loosen due to a deal with Renamo to allow voters to vote for provincial governors, who were previously nominated by the government.

Renamo is predicted to take control of three to five of Mozambique’s 10 provinces, according to analysts.

Ericino de Salema of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa said: “For the first time, the political geography of the country may change substantially.

“It may even lead to confrontation.” Renamo’s candidate, Ossufo Momade, heads a party of former anticommunist rebels who fought Frelimo from 1975-1992.

Renamo took up arms again from 2013 to 2016, but tensions continued until Nyusi and Momade sealed a peace deal in August.

But an armed breakaway faction of Renamo has threatened to attack campaign events, raising fears of bloodshed.