Mozambique’s parliament reconvened after a six-month hiatus, with a focus on pressing national issues including kidnappings, public sector strikes, and the rising cost of living.
During the session, Sérgio Pantie, leader of the ruling Frelimo party’s parliamentary group, urged the government to take decisive action to address the wave of kidnappings affecting various cities. He emphasized the need to restore security for all Mozambicans, including businesspeople and investors. Pantie also called on the government to find effective solutions to the ongoing strikes by health and education professionals, stressing the importance of adhering to legal frameworks while safeguarding everyone’s interests.
Pantie expressed concern about the potential loss of progress since Mozambique’s independence in 1975 if current challenges are not addressed. He criticized the pervasive corruption, arguing that it undermines the political system and erodes the effectiveness of governance, ultimately hindering the realization of fundamental rights.
The Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), the primary opposition party, accused the Frelimo government of exacerbating poverty through corruption and alleged authoritarianism. Viana Magalhães, head of the Renamo caucus, labeled poverty as the country’s biggest issue, attributing it to the ruling party’s mismanagement over the past 49 years. Magalhães called for a “new paradigm” to address the crisis and improve living conditions for the population.
The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third-largest party, also criticized the ruling party, describing its governance as marked by “serious incompetence.” MDM leader Lutero Simango highlighted the failure to tackle kidnappings effectively, noting that such crimes have led to the flight of businesspeople and rising unemployment. Simango pointed out that insecurity has driven many citizens to leave the country, impacting both their businesses and the national economy.
The parliamentary agenda for Wednesday included the final state-of-the-nation report from President Filipe Nyusi, who will be stepping down in January after reaching the constitutional limit of two consecutive terms.
Frelimo holds a dominant position in the Mozambican parliament with 184 seats, followed by Renamo with 60 seats and MDM with six seats.
