Mondlane Critiques Political Agreement in Mozambique, Promises Protests
Venâncio Mondlane criticized the upcoming political agreement in Mozambique as unrepresentative of the public. He vowed to initiate daily protests for five years to pressure the government. The agreement ceremony involves several political parties and aims to rectify the post-election crisis, which has resulted in significant social unrest and fatalities since October 2023.
Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has expressed grave concerns regarding the political agreement set to be signed on Wednesday by the Mozambican president and various political parties amid anticipated state reforms. He criticized the agreement as lacking public participation, stating, “It’s an agreement of people without people, an agreement in the name of the people, but the people won’t be there.” Mondlane committed to organizing daily protests for five years to hold the government accountable to the citizens’ needs.
The agreement signing, which aims to address the post-election crisis, will take place at the Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre in Maputo at 15:00 local time. Participating parties include the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), among others, including the non-parliamentary Nova Democracia.
Despite promises from the head of state to broaden dialogue, critics have pointed out the notable absence of Venâncio Mondlane, the individual who received the second-highest votes in the recent elections. His exclusion raises concerns about genuine representation, as Mondlane leads challenges against the election results acknowledged by the Constitutional Council.
Mondlane announced intentions for ongoing protests over the next five years to ensure governmental responsiveness to the populace: “We want to announce that this year, 2025 until 2030, there will be 1,825 days of demonstrations every day.” Protests in Mozambique have intensified since the contentious elections on 9 October, which were marked by significant unrest over living costs and social issues, resulting in loss of life and substantial property damage.
As of now, reports indicate that since the beginning of social unrest, at least 353 individuals have died, along with approximately 3,500 injuries, as per the electoral monitoring NGO Decide. The government acknowledged at least 80 fatalities, alongside the destruction of numerous businesses, schools, and health centers as a consequence of the protests.
In conclusion, Venâncio Mondlane’s vehement criticism of the forthcoming political agreement underscores ongoing tensions within Mozambique regarding representation and social justice. His call for sustained demonstrations reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the current administration, particularly relating to crucial social issues and the legitimacy of recent election outcomes. As social unrest continues to impact the nation, the government’s response to these concerns remains critical.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
