Mozambique
Mozambique avoids third term crisis

afrol News, 16 May - In a move that even surprised opposition leader Afonso Dlakhama, President Joaquim Chissano has stated he will not go for a third term, but retire in 2004. Mozambique therefore avoids the constitutional crisis neighbouring Zambia, Malawi and Namibia are experiencing or are set to experience.

Mozambican president, Joaquim Chissano, last week told his party he did not intend to run for a third term at the 2004 presidential election. A third presidential term would be against the Mozambican Constitution, and Chissano told the Frelimo (ruling party) Central Committee he had taken his decision "out of respect for the democratic process." 

Afonso Dlakhama, president of the main opposition party Renamo, was surprised by Chissano's statement. In an interview in the weekly journal "Demos", Dlakhama said he considered it "bad news" Chissano would not stand for election again. The Renamo leader made it clear that his party, which earlier had been involved in a civil war against Frelimo, knew what it had in Chissano.

- In spite of all errors and that he robbed my votes, I pardon him and ignore all that, Dlakhama said. Although saying anybody could be substituted, he asked himself; "Who will substitute him? Who will put up with the wars of the radicals, ... of the orthodox within Frelimo, to which Chissano has stood up to being a diplomat, trying to unite all?" Dlakhama stated his concern for the fragile cooperation between Frelimo and Renamo.

A Frelimo party spokesman, Bernado Chirinda, however said they could call on President Chissano to stand again, if a credible successor is not found. Chirinda claimed that all the scenarios "are possible" indicating that Frelimo may urge Chissano to become a candidate. This is what happened in the last elections, when Chissano also had stated he would not be a candidate.

This time, however, Chissano has made it clear that he will not be a candidate in respect of the Mozambican Constitution, and party spokesman Chirinda has admitted that for the first time in the history of the party, Frelimo might have to elect a presidential candidate. The official designation of the candidate will be made at the next Frelimo Congress in June next year.

Chissano's clear statement far ahead of the elections must be seen on the background of the agonizing political conflicts in several Southern African countries concerning the bid for an unconstitutional extra presidential term. 

In neighbouring Zambia, President Chiluba's bid for a third term caused riots and clashes in the capital Lusaka. The governing MMD party was split by the campaign, and the Vice-President and several ministers asked Chiluba to withdraw. When Chiluba finally stated he would not go for a third term, un-reparable damage to the political landscape of Zambia and to its international reputation was already made.

In neighbouring Malawi, President Muluzi is upsetting the opposition, the church and wide ranges of civil society for not denying he will run for a third term. Demonstrations in Lilongwe are planned as the question is threatening to polarise Malawi politics. 

In Namibia, concerns are growing over President Nujoma's announcement he would "be ready" to stand for a fourth term. The Namibian Constitution was already amended to allow Nujoma to stand for his third term, and the ruling SWAPO party seems to be willing to use all means to cling to power. 

Chissano's statement therefore has been seen as an important symbol by regional observers. With Zimbabwe developing into an international pariah, Namibia and Swaziland following in Zimbabwe's footsteps and political crises over third term bids in Zambia and Malawi, international confidence in Southern Africa, a region believed to become "African tiger economies" only a few years ago, has suffered serious setbacks. A crisis in Mozambique would have been too much.

Sources: Based on RDP, Demos and afrol archives

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