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Roundup: Mozambicans deplore boycott of swearing-in by Renamo

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Many Mozambicans on Thursday deplored the boycott of Wednesday's swearing-in of provincial assembly members by the main opposition, the former rebel movement Renamo.

On the orders of the Renamo leader, Afonso Dhlakama, all the party's members elected in the October general elections could not turn up at the ceremonies held in all the country's ten provinces, in protest against the results of the polls.

Renamo even stayed away in the regions the party has more assembly members, such as Zambezia, Sofala, Manica and Nampula.

Both the ruling Frelimo party and the Democratic Movement (MDM) condemned the boycott. Many people from Sofala, Dhlakama's stronghold and mother land, also deplored the Renamo move.

"Renamo members are not respecting those who voted in favor of them. I think this is not good. I even voted in favor of Renamo. Now my vote is invalid," Emma Nanchua, a resident in the capital, Maputo, told Xinhua on Thursday.

She said that members of Renamo who were voted for should represent them, "because refusing to take their seats does not dignify them."

A driver for long journeys, John Nkulungila, 41, said: "I don't know what Renamo wants. I don't know what Dhlakama means by boycotting the assemblies. Renamo must be represented in the provincial assemblies for the betterment of the party and the country in general."

Armando Nkeka, an informal street vendor said: "Boycotting does not resolve anything. Who knows whether Renamo can lose fresh elections?" he asked. He does not believe in the formation of a "caretaker government" as Dhlakama demands.

State administration minister, Carmelita Namachulua, called on Renamo members to reconsider their decision and take their seats. "I believe they will take their seats. They still have time to do so," she said.

The Renamo members in the provincial assembly still have 30 days to take their seats, otherwise, fresh provincial assembly elections will be called.

Renamo also has said its deputies will boycott the swearing-in ceremony of the new parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, to take place on Monday in the capital, Maputo.

The former rebel movement has 89 out of 250 legislatures in the house. Frelimo has 144 and the remaining belong to the MDM. The Monday ceremony will be led by president Armando Guebuza.

Dhlakama's spokesperson, Antonio Muchanga, confirmed to Xinhua that "No-one will take the seats." He said Renamo will continue to protest against the election results.

This is not the first time the former rebel movement boycott the legislative house. In 2009, they did the same. But one by one they filled in their seats. Endi