Back Southern & East Africa: Mozambique Overview In December 1999 Mozambique held its second national elections. They were the most competitive elections Mozambique has ever experienced. President Joaquim Chissano won re-election by a small margin (less than 5%). FRELIMO retained its majority in parliament, winning 133 seats in the 250-seat assembly. The remaining 117 seats went to the opposition coalition of RENAMO-UE. The campaign period was characterized by a flurry of activity. The parties articulated specific policy platforms that focused on economic and social development, demonstrating that the country has moved beyond the mentality that characterized political thought during the civil war. The parties actively campaigned by holding public rallies around the country and seeking media coverage for their platforms and issues. The impression of both domestic and international monitors was that the balloting was well administered. However, there were some logistical problems and irregularities, particularly during the counting process. Though the balloting was generally applauded, the results were contested by the RENAMO-UE coalition, who alleged that significant fraud occurred in the counting process. RENAMO-EU demanded a recount or new elections, and threatened the establishment of a parallel government. The government remained steadfast in its position that the elections were fair. The prolonged controversy over the election results has caused considerable tension and threatened to undermine substantial gains in the country's democratic development. Past Mozambique Program In September of 1998, NDI began a program to strengthen the institutional capacity of political parties and independent political movements in Mozambique. NDI worked closely with FRELIMO, RENAMO, UD, and PCN, as well as four local independent political movements. The program was designed to strengthen sustainable democratic practices and institutional capabilities. The objectives included the encouragement of accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to members within political parties; increased organizational skills and capacities in political parties, enabling them to compete and participate effectively in the democratic political order; facilitating the formation of linkages among parties and political organizations; and the renewal of constructive political dialogue between political parties and civil society. NDI worked with Mozambican civic organizations to organize forums that will facilitate a national political dialogue. Mozambique Program History NDI began working with Mozambican democrats in 1991. NDI's experience in Mozambique began with a Voter Education program leading up to national elections in 1994. Following the elections, NDI conducted civic education training for Mozambican citizens, eventually expanding its program throughout the country. In addition, NDI conducted a six-month Constituency Outreach program in 1996 for Mozambican parliamentarians and conducted a series of public forums throughout the country, bringing representatives and their constituents together to have a dialogue about issues of local and national importance. In August of 1997, NDI's national network of civic education trainers formed the Mozambican Association for the Development of Democracy (AMODE). In October of the same year NDI began a capacity building program with AMODE and helped coordinate AMODE's Voter Education program to promote participation in local elections. Contact Information For more information on NDI's work in Southern and East Africa, please contact: Brionne Dawson, Program Officer Send Email Back