MOZAMBIQUE opposition leader Venancio Antonio Bila Mondlane has written to the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) Africa president Walter Mzembi asking him to intervene in the neighbouring country’s political conflict.
The conflict in Mozambique, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of people, arose after the disputed polls in which the electoral body declared ruling Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo the winner.
The declaration sparked an uprising by disgruntled citizens, who have been protesting since then resulting in the suspension of many public service operations, vandalism of property and death of many citizens.
ICD is a think-tank in mediation and conflict resolution in the southern African region, the broader African continent and within the global context.
Mzembi, who was Foreign Affairs minister in then strongman Robert Mugabe’s Cabinet shortly before he was deposed in a coup in November 2017, fled to exile at the height of the coup.
In a letter dated December 29, 2024, Mondlane asked Mzembi to intervene, citing severe human rights violations.
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“It is with utmost respect that I address Your Excellency, acknowledging your dedication and valuable contributions in mediation and conflict resolution interventions,” the Mozambican opposition leader said.
“The Mozambican people find themselves at a critical juncture in their history, facing an unprecedented political and social crisis exacerbated by the electoral process of October 9, 2024.
“Although the people of Mozambique expressed their will at the polls, undemocratic practices compromised the legitimacy of the process including results manipulation, restrictions on freedoms of expression and wide-spread intimidation.”
Mondlane said the irregularities undermined democratic values and threatened regional stability, adding that Mozambique’s political crisis directly impacted the economic interests of neighbouring countries disrupting co-operation, trade flow and regional security.
Mondlane said his bank accounts were frozen and there were strong indications that search and arrest warrants had been issued against him.
“At present, I am outside the country, in an undisclosed location, where I continue to lead peaceful action in pursuit of electoral truth and the restoration of democracy and social peace,” he said.
He also cited alleged political repression following the assassination of his lawyer and personal representative, Elvino Dias, who was shot 25 times on October 19 last year.
“After the Constitutional Council’s ruling declaring the victory of Frelimo and its candidate, a wave of vandalism and looting ensued in some cases led by police and military forces, creating a climate of terror and panic,” Mondlane wrote.
“Worse still, an estimated 400 citizens have been killed so far, many of them freed from maximum security prisons by the police themselves.
“In this context, it is encouraging to count on the support of former leaders who embody ethical, moral and African values like Your Excellency to promote annulment of the 2024 elections.”
He also urged the Sadc bloc to demand the annulment of the results and call for new elections under international supervision, ensuring transparency.
“It is now time for Sadc member States to unite in support of the Mozambican people,” he said.
Mondlane said there was need for political and humanitarian stabilisation in Mozambique, adding that the crisis had led to significant exodus to neighbouring countries such as Malawi, increasing pressure on their economies.
He said resolving the political instability was crucial to mitigating its impact and restoring confidence in the region.
He asked Mzembi and a team of Sadc elders to lead the process of restoring peace and dignity in Mozambique.
Mzembi, in a position paper on the Mozambican political crisis dated January 6, 2025, acknowledged Mondlane’s invitation, adding that his paper was not a solution to the crisis, but an attempt to discern critical pathways that could be used as a roadmap to possible lasting conflict resolution within the acclaimed Cultural Diplomacy Framework.
“The dialogue process for the stabilisation of Mozambique has to be done in the next seven days or at least before January 15, 2025, the inauguration date before the situation degenerates further,” Mzembi said.
“The consummation of the council/panel of elders should be constituted urgently with former presidents/eminent persons taking the lead, while the Sadc Secretariat can play a facilitatory role across the framework.
“It is imperative to ensure fairness and justice for all the political players in Mozambique for the sake of peace, unity and development of the country.”
United Kingdom-based ICD Africa secretary-general Pardon Tapfumaneyi confirmed the engagement of their organisation by Mondlane.
“We will be in Mozambique in a few days,” Tapfumaneyi said.
“We will be meeting all stakeholders, including the Council of Elders of Sadc, trying to see how best these issues should be resolved. We are happy that Sadc has come in to try and resolve the crisis.”
He said Sadc should not be seen to be partisan, but should try to resolve the problem in a transparent manner before inauguration on January 15.