Harare, (New Ziana) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Heads of State and Government Summit which opened in Harare on Wednesday was expected to receive a report on post-election violence in Mozambique, the executive secretary, Elias Magosi has said.
Mozambique has been experiencing political violence after the opposition disputed the preliminary results announced by the National Election Commission (CNE), indicating that the ruling party, FRELIMO, had retained its nearly five-decade stranglehold on power in the country of 35 million people, and took to the streets.
The CNE declared that the ruling party candidate, 47-year-old Daniel Chapo, had won 70 percent of the vote against 20 percent for his nearest rival, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, while the candidate for the former main opposition and rebel movement Renamo party, Ossufo Momade, came a distant third with about 5 percent.
The violence that followed the announcement of the election results has since claimed over 30 lives.
In his introductory remarks at the opening of the Extraordinary Summit, Magosi said in addition to discussing the deployment of the Southern African Mission in the Democratic Repulic of Congo (SAMIDRC), it will also receive an update on the post-election political and security situation in Mozambique following the outbreak of post elections violence.
Outgoing Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, who leaves office after serving the stipulated two five-year terms and will be replaced by Chapo, is attending the Extra Ordinary Summit.
The regional body last December deployed the SAMIDRC to support the DRC government to restore peace and security in the eastern part of that country, where armed groups including the M23 have forced the displacement of more than 6.5 million people.
“We do not expect that 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,” said Magosi.
“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.”
Magosi said despite some security challenges in parts of the SADC region requiring the regional body’s continued collective response and address, the region remains generally peaceful and stable. “Political stability, peace and security are vital ingredients and enablers for SADC’s socio-economic development and integration.
Any disturbance or compromise to any of these tenets of development threatens the lofty aspirations of the Member States and the region itself,” he said.
New Ziana
