Mozambican Elections – Consolidating Democracy?
Date:Thursday, 03 December 2009
Time:17:00 – 20:00
Location:M/S Innvik, Langkaia 1 – right next to the Opera House

arrangert av Fellesrådet for Afrika

Mozambique is one of the main recipients of Norwegian aid, and often cited by donors as an example of peace, progress and democracy in Southern Africa. On October 28th, Mozambique held a general election, the 4th since the introduction of multi-partyism in 1994. As in the previous elections, the Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frelimo) won an overwhelming victory. The only other opposition party with seats in Parliament is the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), and elections have primarily centred on these two parties. However, this year a second opposition party entered the scene – Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), but the heightened expectations for MDM were dashed as they received only marginal support.
Mozambique has since the Peace Accord of 1992 enjoyed a stable political climate and a steady economic growth. However, it is still considered among the poorest countries in the world, with continuous allegations of a corrupt political elite. During and after the elections there were allegations of fraud and indications that the elections had not been ‘free and fair’. Despite this Norway channels the majority of its development aid directly into the state coffers.
What are the political consequences of the newly held general election in Mozambique? Do the elections mark a turning point and pave the way towards a true multiparty political reality? Or are the overwhelming and crushing victory of FRELIMO and the low voter turnout a threat to the Mozambican democracy? What was the influence of MDM on the election dynamics, if any, and what does this political party have to offer for the future? What will the relationship be between the two opposition parties? Why does Frelimo enjoy such broad popular support despite allegations of corruption and fraud? What role does such strong liberation parties play in the consolidation of democracy? An finally, what are the role of donors in democratisation?

Panelists:
Eduardo Namburete – Member of Parliament from the political party Renamo and Senior Lecturer at the Eduardo Mondlane University’s School of Communication and Arts. He is also currently the Southern Africa representative in the African Parliamentarian Network Against Corruption (APNAC).
Joseph Hanlon – Senior Lecturer in Development Policy and Practice at the Open University, London. He is also a journalist and editor of Mozambique Political Process Bulletin and the author of several books and publications on Mozambique.
Aslak Orre – Researcher at the Christian Michelsen’s Institute, Bergen. His current work is on a PhD-thesis on traditional authorities, political parties and the local state in Angola and Mozambique.
Chairperson:
Mette Masst – previously Minister Councillor at the Norwegian Embassy in Maputo and currently senior advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Section for International Development Policy.
The seminar is free and will be held in English.
All are welcome!

3. desember – 17.00 – 20.00

åpent møte – gratis inngang