DATE=1/31/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=MOZAMBIQUE / POLITICS
NUMBER=5-45343
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Political tensions remain high in Mozambique
after December's national elections, officially won by
the ruling Frelimo party of President Joachim
Chissano. The opposition Renamo party charges the
voting results were rigged, but the country's Supreme
Court has dismissed its complaints and validated the
outcome. Southern Africa Correspondent Alex Belida
reports that while Renamo's representatives have taken
up their seats in the new Parliament after initially
considering a boycott, the party's future plans have
created a sense of uncertainty in the country.
TEXT: Some of the latest headlines out of Mozambique
are frightening. "Fears of a new war" proclaims one
Portuguese daily (Publico) while an independent
newsletter from Maputo (Imparcial) refers to what it
calls - a pre-coup climate.
Recent news reports have hinted at a possible move by
Renamo to set up a breakaway government in the six
Northern and Central Provinces where it took a
confirmed majority of the votes in December's
elections. The situation in those provinces is
characterized by the opposition as - explosive - with
Renamo supporters refusing to accept the victory of
the country's re-elected Frelimo leadership.
Independent analysts and diplomats are playing down
the potential for any serious trouble in the short
term.
But they say Renamo has fuelled the fires of the
latest political controversy by moving a portion of
its headquarters staff from the national capital,
Maputo, to Beira, capital of the central province of
Sofala and one of Renamo's strongholds. The January
move coincided with a tour of those strongholds by
Renamo leader, Afonso Dhlakama.
The move was widely, but inaccurately, reported as a
transfer of the entire party headquarters -- a move
that would be illegal under Mozambican law, which
requires the headquarters of all registered political
parties to be in Maputo.
Government-controlled Radio Mozambique reports the
Justice Department has referred the matter to the
Attorney General and Public Prosecutor for possible
legal action. But Mr. Dhlakama has told the radio
Renamo's official headquarters remain in Maputo, and
only a portion of the headquarters staff has been
moved.
Mr. Dhlakama has also been outspoken in rejecting
suggestions he might lead Renamo back to war. In
recent remarks broadcast on Radio Mozambique, he said
the party will never resume hostilities. I give you
my word - was the way he put it.
But the opposition leader continues to make clear his
dissatisfaction over December's election results.
While independent monitors have said they found no
evidence of serious irregularities that would have
affected the outcome, Mr. Dhlakama says he cannot
accept, in his words -- being robbed every time there
is an election.
He accuses Frelimo of stealing not only the latest
vote, but also the election in 1994, the country's
first national election since the end of its long and
bloody civil war. And while he is quoted as saying he
will not give the order to resume hostilities, he says
some frustrated Renamo supporters may commit excesses.
It is that kind of threatening hint that has led to
the gloomy headline predictions of possible unrest in
Mozambique. But analysts and diplomats following
events there have another view -- they believe Mr.
Dhlakama and Renamo are escalating the level of
political rhetoric in the country as a bargaining
chip.
These analysts say the opposition feels unfairly
excluded from the governing process. They note it has
been denied access to tightly-controlled state
resources and a share of political power even in the
provinces where it took a majority of votes.
The analysts say the bargaining ploy does not appear
to be working. The ruling Frelimo party has shown no
indication of willingness to be flexible or to devise
a mechanism to accommodate Renamo's current
aspirations.
Frelimo's General-Secretary (Manuel Tome) has been
quoted as saying (in the Portuguese newspaper "Jornal
de Noticias") there can be no question of power-
sharing in any form. But diplomats point out that the
new provincial governments have not yet been formed --
leaving President Chissano room for maneuver if he
wants to defuse the situation.
The influential U-S-based Carter Center, run by former
President Jimmy Carter, has been monitoring political
events closely in Mozambique. It is calling for both
sides to work together constructively to strengthen
the country's young democracy -- an apparent appeal to
the two rivals to make some form of political deal.
For the long run, analysts say unless the stalemate is
broken, there could be real trouble -- and not just
gloomy newspaper predictions. (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/JWH/RAE
31-Jan-2000 10:29 AM EDT (31-Jan-2000 1529 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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