Mozambique Action Alert

Mozambicans signaled their desire for succesful peaceful elections by voting in large numbers in all parts of the country in the first scheduled day of national elections yesteday, despite a boycott call only hours before the polls opened.

Renamo spokesmen had accused the Mozambican government, the independent National Electoral Commission and the United Nations of plotting to cheat them of victory. The incident was the latest in a long series of maneuvers by which Dhlakama has apparently hoped to extract new concessions, including a share of power to be guaranteed before the election. The Mozambican government has been under intense pressure from the United States and other outside powers to make such an agreement. It is reported that the pressure continues, this time to announce a government of national unity even before the vote count is completed.

The Frontline States, meeting in Harare on Tuesday, strongly criticized international efforts to dictate a solution to Mozambique. Frelimo Presidential candidate Joaquim Chissano has consistently argued that the people should first be allowed to have their say at the polls. In his view, while the rights of opposition parties should be respected, and a new government should reach out to incorporate diverse sectors of national life, a functioning government should only incorporate those who are willing to cooperate in implementing the program of the winning party.

The elections are the culminating step in implementation of the peace accord signed between the Mozambican government and Renamo in Rome two years ago. Renamo, founded as a guerrilla group by the former Rhodesian government, and taken over as a client by the South African military in 1980, has received $19 million from outside donors to try to transform itself into a political party and clean up its image as a perpetrator of atrocities against civilians.

 

It is important that all those concerned with peace and
democracy in Mozambique reaffirm that
     (1) the electoral process, including the vote
     count, should continue, with or without Renamo,
     including addressing any legitimate questions
     raised about flaws in the procedures;
     (2) the Renamo leaders should not be rewarded with
     additional  concessions for their attempts to
     sabotage the electoral process; and,
     (3) the U.S. refrain from any pressure or posture
     that would encourage Renamo to make additional
     demands or threats.
 
Send messages with your concerns to:
     National Security Advisor Anthony Lake (Phone: 202-
     456-1414; Fax: 202-456-2883).
 
Copies should be sent to:
     Edward Brynn, Dep. Asst. Sec. of State for African
     Affairs (Phone: 202-647-4485; Fax: 202-647-6301);
     Senator Paul Simon (Phone: 202-224-2152; Fax: 202-
     224-0868); and
     Representative Harry Johnston (Phone: 202-225-3001;
     Fax: 202-225-8791).
 
This alert prepared jointly by the Washington Office on
Africa, the American Committee on Africa, and the
Mozambique Solidarity Office.
 
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Washington Office on Africa
110 Maryland Ave. NE, #112
Washington, DC 20002.
Phone: 202-546-7961.
Fax: 202-546-1545.
Email: woa@igc.apc.org.
 
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Message-Id: <199410281953.PAA06526@ipe.cc.vt.edu>
Date:  Fri, 28 Oct 1994 12:53:15 -0700
From: The Washington Office on Africa 
Subject: Mozambique Action Alert