Mnangagwa defies Mozambique poll observers, backs FRELIMO’s disputed win

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has congratulated Mozambique’s ruling party, FRELIMO, and its presidential candidate, Daniel Francisco Chapo, despite widespread condemnation of irregularities and violence that marred the elections.

Mozambique is grappling with escalating tensions between FRELIMO supporters and those of independent candidate Venancio Mondlane.

Mondlane alleges poll rigging and blames FRELIMO for his lawyer Elvino Dias’ killing. The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission reported “unjustified alterations” of election results, urging transparent counting.

But Mnangagwa issued a congratulatory message during a Politburo meeting on Tuesday, solidifying Zanu-PF’s alliance with FRELIMO.

Mozambique’s electoral body is yet to announce election results. Mondlane’s supporters claim fraud, while FRELIMO asserts victory. This has resulted in widespread protests in Maputo.

“I wish to congratulate our sister revolutionary party, Frelimo and its president-elect, His Excellency, Cde Daniel Chapo, and the people of Mozambique on the resounding victory during the recently held elections. Congratulations Frelimo,” Mnangagwa said.

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“Zanu PF stands ready to cement the long-existing revolutionary unity between our two parties and our two nations.”

The stance diverges from international concerns. The EU, US, African Union and Portugal condemned violence and election irregularities.

“To date, the EU EOM has noted irregularities during counting and unjustified alteration of election results at polling station and district level.

“As a measure to contribute to the trust and integrity of the electoral process, the EU EOM reiterates its call to the electoral bodies to conduct the tabulation process in a transparent and credible manner, ensuring the traceability of polling station results.

Chief Observer Laura Ballarin stated that “the publication of disaggregated results by polling station is not only a matter of good practice, but also a strong safeguard for the integrity of results’.

“In view of the social tensions and electoral related violence witnessed in recent days, the EU EOM reiterates its condemnation of the killings of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, and wishes to call for utmost restraint by all and for the respect for fundamental freedoms and political rights.

“The EU EOM considers that it is the responsibility of the electoral administration to clarify the irregularities and of the Constitutional Council to address them during the validation of results process, in respect of the will of voters,” the EU observer mission stated in a statement.