Time for change, Frelimo told

MATOLA: Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, speaking in his capacity as president of the ruling Frelimo Party, has warned the party that it must be prepared to make changes.

Speaking at the opening of the Frelimo annual congress, Nyusi told the more than 2000 delegates that further decentralisation was coming. The audience in the hall knew that he was referring to negotiations between the government and Renamo rebels.

One of the key demands raised by Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama was for the direct election of provincial governors, ending the current system in which they are appointed by the president.

Dhlakama has said Nyusi has accepted this demand, and all that remained was to pass the constitutional amendment and associated legislation to put it into practice.

Dhlakama has also demanded, as the price for dismantling the Renamo militia, that Renamo officers be given senior positions in the armed forces and police.

Without specifically mentioning the Renamo demands, Nyusi declared: “We should be prepared to make changes and continue to play a leading role in decentralising the country.”

“There should be no conflict between decentralisation and the preservation of national unity,” he added. “More efficient and participatory governance needs the support of thoughtful and responsible decentralisation.”

Nyusi also warned against intolerance. “Diversity of opinion is not a sign of weakness, but of tolerance,” he said. “The debate of ideas, however different they may be, must continue to be promoted, in the awareness that we are living in a more open society.”

Frelimo should not attack its political opponents, he urged. Instead “our way of competing for power is to demonstrate continually that we are the best choice to guarantee the defence of their interests”.