Tensions Mount as Mozambique Prepares for High-Stakes Elections

Mozambique is gearing up for crucial presidential elections in 2024, but there has been a registration crisis in some opposition provinces. The registration process had a chaotic start, with many registration posts opening late or not at all due to technical problems, frustrating those queuing in long lines in Mozambiques' cities and towns. In June, 2023, Mozambique's largest opposition party, Renamo, demanded the annulment of the voter registration, but to no avail. This was over a major maldistribution of registration brigades, with a shortfall of registration brigades in opposition areas.

Meanwhile, there has been allegations of ghost voters on the voters' roll. The Renamo and MDM election agents in Milange, in Zambezia, are accusing STAE of changing the data in almost all the registration posts in the municipality. Renamo says that almost all its appeals and complaints have been rejected by the electoral administration and management bodies, from the registration posts up to the District Elections Commission.

The party in charge since 1975, when Mozambique gained its independence from Portuguese colonial rule, Frelimo, has no intention of ceding control. It is making every effort to win the next local elections in October and to win the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024.