South Africa’s statement calling for dialogue to unlock the political logjam in neighbouring Mozambique, which has been fuelling deadly protests and disruption of regional economies for the past three months, showed maturity and a deeper understanding of the dynamics behind the conflict in that country.
Mozambique descended into chaos after the outcome of the October 9 elections was disputed by the opposition led by one of the losing presidential candidates Venancio Mondlane on the grounds that there was massive rigging.
The ruling Frelimo party's candidate Daniel Chapo was declared winner of the disputed polls and is set to succeed President Filipe Nyusi next month.
Mozambique’s top court last week validated Chapo’s victory, but the ruling was akin to adding fuel to a raging fire as the protests intensified with a Christmas Day jailbreak that saw over 6 000 inmates escaping a Maputo jail helping to dramatise the extent of the crisis.
According to human rights organisations, over 150 people have been killed so far during the protests with many of them being victims of excessive use of force by security forces.
Thousands of others have been thrown behind bars for taking part in the protests that have engulfed most of Mozambique’s urban areas.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), which dispatched a delegation to assess the situation in the neighbouring country, reported that although the alleged election rigging was a major grievance, it was not the only rallying point.
ZCC in a statement calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to use his position as Sadc chairperson to push for dialogue among the main actors in the election dispute, said young Mozambicans were generally disgruntled about lack of opportunities and lack of jobs.
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The observation by the clergy is important because it gives a perspective on possible solutions to the conflict whose impact is being felt across southern Africa because of Mozambique’s strategic role in the movement of imports and exports.
This is why we fully endorse the stance by South Africa after it called “on all parties to commit to urgent dialogue that will heal the country and set it on a new political and development trajectory.”
South Africa’s position also aligned with that of the African Union and the United Nations, who called for dialogue.
Sadc, led by Zimbabwe, must be seen to be showing some leadership by encouraging the protagonists in Mozambique to reach a negotiated settlement to end the killings and bring peace to the country.
Any perceptions that Zimbabwe is taking sides will weaken its position as a neutral peacemaker, hence our reference to the South African statement.
