Muchinguri-Kashiri leads SADC’s Mozambique election observers

Harare (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his capacity as chairman of the Southern African Development Community’s organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, has nominated Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri to head the SADC election observer mission to the October 15 general elections in Mozambique.

Mozambique is holding Presidential, provincial and legislative elections.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesman Shepherd Gwenzi said Muchinguri-Kashiri will be deputised by Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo.

“The Republic of Zimbabwe as the chair of the SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation will lead the SADC electoral observer mission to the presidential, provincial and legislative elections to be held on the 15th of October 2019 in Mozambique,” he said.

“As mandated by His Excellency President Emmerson D Mnangagwa, the chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Hon O.C.Z Muchinguri-Kashiri the Minister of Defence and War Veterans will lead the SEOM to the Republic of Mozambique during the period 2 to 22 October 2019.

“Hon Muchinguri-Kashiri is expected to launch SEOM Mozambique on Monday 7 October 2019 and to release the preliminary statement on the conduct of the elections on Thursday 17 October 2019.”

Gwenzi said the observer mission will be tasked with ensuring that Mozambique delivers a free, fair and credible election.

“The core mandate of the SEOM shall be to determine the adherence of the Republic of Mozambique to democratic values and principles envisioned in the SADC treaty, the SADC protocol on Politics, Defence and Security cooperation and the provisions of the revised SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections,” he said.

Four presidential candidates and 26 parties are contesting in the general election which will be the first to elect provincial governors.

Incumbent President and Frelimo leader, Filipe Nyusi, the leader of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), Ossufo Momade, the leader of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), Daviz Simango, and the candidate of the Extra-parliamentary Action Party of the United Movement for Integral Salvation (AMUSI), Mario Albino, are the four Presidential candidates.
New Ziana