HARARE – An extraordinary summit of SADC leaders in Harare on Wednesday sidestepped demands by opposition parties for a rerun of Mozambique’s disputed elections as it gave full backing to the ruling Frelimo party to restore calm.
SADC called on opposition leaders to follow the legal process in their quest to overturn the election results, a blow to main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane who wants a rerun of the October 9 vote.
The declaration of the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner has sparked intense discontent and triggered protests which have left at least 35 dead and led to over 300 arrests.
Mozambique’s National Election Commission said Chapo won with 71 percent of the vote and Mondlane, an independent candidate, received 20 percent.
Mondlane has refused to recognise the result and declared himself winner instead.
Another opposition party, Renamo, a former rebel movement, has also demanded that the elections be nullified and a caretaker government be appointed with a task to reform the electoral system before a new vote is held.
SADC is historically wary to impose its will on member countries, and on Wednesday, regional leaders again elected to kick the can further down the road by referring the crisis to the organ on politics, defence and security chaired by Tanzanian leader Samia Suluhu Hassan, who did not attend.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting said: “Summit received an update from His Excellency President Filipe Nyusi of the Republic of Mozambique on the post-election political and security situation in the country and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to work with the Republic of Mozambique in ensuring peace, security and stability through the relevant structures of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security cooperation.
“Summit extended condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Mozambique for the lives lost during the post-election violence.”
Earlier, when welcoming leaders to the summit, SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi said: “We did not expect that the election processes could deteriorate to the extent of serious conflict, disruption of economic activity, threat to human lives, and even loss of lives, as well as damage to property and infrastructure.
“There are appropriate structures under the electoral laws and constitution of member states that deal with complaints and any misgivings about elections. We plead with all those that are aggrieved with the election process to follow these lawful procedures and ensure safety of citizens and stability of the country.”
Mozambique’s Constitutional Court has been petitioned by the opposition not to validate Chapo’s victory, and its decision is awaited.
Having faced similar calls from the opposition after being declared winner of disputed elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa – when he spoke during an open session – did not once refer to Mozambique. The Zimbabwe leader, who currently holds the rotating SADC chairmanship, is a top ally of Nyusi and the incoming president.
Only five heads of state of the 16-member bloc attended the Harare summit, with many leaders sending their foreign ministers.
