Mondlane Critiques Presidential Agreement in Mozambique Amidst Social Unrest
Venâncio Mondlane criticizes a political agreement signed by Mozambique’s president, calling it an “agreement of people without people.” He pledges daily protests for five years if the government does not meet public demands, reflecting ongoing social unrest and dissatisfaction with the electoral process.
Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has criticized a political agreement set to be signed by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and various party leaders aimed at addressing state reforms. Mondlane described the agreement as lacking genuine representation, stating it is an “agreement of people without people”. He emphasized that the planned signing ceremony would be meaningless as it excludes the public, which he believes is crucial for true democratic dialogue.
The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place today in Maputo at the Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre, involving major political parties, including the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), alongside the extra-parliamentary Nova Democracia. The agreement aims to facilitate political dialogue to resolve ongoing post-election tensions in Mozambique.
Despite promises from the president to expand discussions to include various community segments, critics, including academics, have noted the glaring absence of Mondlane, the second most popular candidate in the recent elections. Mondlane’s exclusion fuels the perception that the agreement disregards public opinion and fails to address the electorate’s concerns.
In a powerful address, Mondlane vowed to initiate daily protests over the next five years if the government does not heed the people’s demands. He declared, “there will be 1,825 days of demonstrations every day,” indicating a resolute commitment to mobilization if the government remains unresponsive.
Since the October elections, Mozambique has witnessed significant unrest, with Mondlane rejecting the official results favoring Chapo. Protests, though diminished in scale, now spotlight issues such as a soaring cost of living, prompting widespread dissatisfaction. Reports indicate at least 353 deaths and 3,500 injuries linked to the unrest, while government statistics confirm 80 fatalities and extensive damage to public and commercial infrastructure.
In summary, Venâncio Mondlane’s criticisms highlight the perception of disconnect in Mozambique’s political agreement, indicating a lack of genuine public engagement. His commitment to sustained protests underscores rising social unrest in response to unresolved electoral grievances and socio-economic issues. As tensions persist, the promised agreement may not hold the significance its proponents hope for without true inclusion of citizen voices.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
