The government says it is concerned about the unrest in Mozambique spilling over into neighbouring South African Development Community countries, including South Africa.
International relations and co-operation minister Ronald Lamola this week told the Sunday Times they were closely monitoring developments in Mozambique.
“We are concerned, hence we are in contact ... with our counterparts in Mozambique on a day-to-day basis to assess the situation and to continue to monitor it. And when obviously all the reports have been deposited into the Sadc processes, that will then inform the next level of support that may be needed or if there is any further steps that can be taken,” he said.
Lamola has called for calm in Mozambique after nationwide protests broke out upon the release of preliminary election results showing Frelimo had won more than 70% of the votes.
The unrest, which has claimed 30 lives, erupted amid allegations of election fraud. It is understood the killing of an opposition leader led many to believe it was politically motivated and done to hide vote rigging.
Lamola this week said Mozambique’s constitutional court should be allowed space to make a final determination on the results.
“Our view is that we have to call for calm for now to everyone who is involved, all the stakeholders, to allow the process. Because there’s a process that has been started of the dispute that has been lodged through their concourt, which we have to await the pronouncement.”
Lamola said there was concern that the unrest might spill over into neighbouring countries, including South Africa, but any intervention would be done through Sadc.
“Obviously, whatever intervention that we can make has to be done through the regional body, which is Sadc,” said Lamola.
“But we continue to be in touch with our counterparts in Mozambique to monitor the situation and we are hopeful that the concourt ... will soon pronounce on the outcome, which will then bring certainty among all the role players.
“And we are looking forward to the next meeting of Sadc, which will obviously receive reports ... and that will then provide a platform for a way forward on what then becomes Sadc’s position on what should be done.”
High-placed sources said there were calls on the ANC to intervene in Mozambique to help establish a government of national unity between Daniel Chapo’s Frelimo party, which got more than 70% of the popular vote; independent candidate Venancio Mondlane’s Podemos, which won just over 20%; and Ossufo Momade’s Renamo, which got more than 5%.
“There are attempts by some foreign actors to have the ANC engage the Mozambicans to form a government of national unity in Mozambique between Mondlane’s party and Chapo, but it is understood that Mondlane is against this. We [ANC] wouldn’t get involved, not like that, we must respect the outcome of the elections,” said a party insider.
International relations & co-operation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri declined to comment on the matter, saying the process of declaring the results must be given space.
“The process is clear on how the conclusion of elections must be done. First the preliminary results are announced, which is done, anyone with objections must file objections so that they can be considered before the final results are declared.
“It’s important that this process is given space so that those with grievances can take them up. But it would seem as though currently the official process is not being afforded the necessary space,” said Phiri.
“Minister Lamola has engaged his counterpart in Mozambique around the situation in the capital and ... has also welcomed the meetings called by Sadc.”
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