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Sadc NGOs move on Mozambique mediation

Southern African Council of Non- Governmental Organisations (Saf-CNGO)has invited for mediation concerned parties in the ongoing post-election unrest in Mozambique to end the violence that has killed more than 270 people.

The council said in a statement that it has resolved to assemble a team of mediators comprising former heads of State from some Southern African Development Community (Sadc) member States; namely Malawi, South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania.

Usi leaves for the swearing-in ceremony.

In the statement dated January 13 2025, the council observed that the situation in Mozambique has negatively affected regional economies, especially South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe due to blockage of cross-border truck transportation.

Reads the statement in part: “Saf- CNGO hereby expresses deep concern over the rising tensions and violence in Mozambique following the October 9 2024 elections.

“We note with great concern the alleged gross human rights violations, with an estimated 278 people recorded dead, while national businesses have been negatively affected causing dire human suffering.”

The council has since made several proposals, including the immediate suspension of any activities or processes that “might be deemed inflammatory to the current crisis”.

Mozambique plunged into post-election violence in October last year after the electoral commission announced that President-elect Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo was winner of the October 9 election with 71 percent of the ballots cast.

Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, 50, who came second with 20 percent of the vote, rejected the results, claiming fraud and urged his followers to protest.

Earlier this year, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council reduced Chapo’s victory to 65 percent while Mondlane got 24 percent.

Mondlane, who was in exile since October, returned home last week before calling for a new wave of demonstrations for three days beginning Monday to today, targeting the swearing-in of the president-elect.

Chapo, 48, who will succeed President Filipe Nyusi, will be sworn-in today.

Malawi will be represented by Vice-President Michael Usi who left through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

Saf-CNGO has a membership of civil society organisations from across Sadc member States.

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