Sadc leaders adding fuel to Mozambican fire – analyst

POLITICAL analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) leadership has only added fuel to the fire in Mozambique by showering president-elect Daniel Chapo with congratulatory messages.

This comes after the country’s highest court this week declared the disputed poll as legitimate.

President Nangolo Mbumba was among the first to congratulate Chapo, even as the country was rocked by protests, which culminated into a massive jail break of 1 500 inmates at one of the correctional facilities.

So far, an estimated 33 people have died, including 15 who got injured during a scuffle with prison guards.

Mozambique’s Venancio Mondlane-led opposition has declared the election rigged.

“The Sadc leadership is not in control of the situation,” Kamwanyah says.

He says Sadc must regroup and call for a dialogue that must open the way towards a peaceful resolution.

The Sadc chairmanship is currently being held by Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has been accused of congratulating Chapo before results were announced.

“Sadc is the problem. It should have gotten hold of the situation just after the elections. They sent observers there who just left after issuing their preliminary report,” Kamwanyah says.

Preliminary results in the October poll showed that Chapo got a 71% share of the vote against Mondlane’s 20%.

However, on Monday, the country’s highest court reduced Chapo’s votes to 65% and increased Mondlane’s to 24%

“I am not surprised at all that Mbumba has already congratulated Chapo knowing the country is burning,” Kamwanyah says.

He adds that congratulating Chapo has only served to widen the conflict.