Mozambique swears in new MPs amid opposition boycott

Legislators from Mozambique’s ruling Frelimo and those of the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), the party that backed opposition leader Venancio Mondlane in the last elections, turned up at Parliament for the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, amid a boycott by other opposition parties.

The MPs elected in the October 9, 2024 elections were expected to be sworn into the 10th Parliament, but Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) and Movement for Democracy (MDM) MPs-elect did not show up.

Frelimo won 171 seats in parliament and its MP, Margarida Talapa, was elected Speaker on Monday.

Podemos party has 43 legislators, Renamo 28 and the MDM eight.

Mr Mondlane had pleaded with the Podemos MPs not to attend the ceremony, noting that it would be a betrayal, but Podemos party president Abino Forquilha asked his legislators to attend the ceremony.

Mr Forquilha told reporters Monday that parties are sovereign.

“We thought we should be sworn in because what we’re going to do today is very important,” he said.

Mr Forquilha’s position has been criticised by some opposition supporters at a time Mr Mondalane, who returned to the country from self-exile last week, had called for “peaceful demonstrations” from Monday to Wednesday when Daniel Chapo of Frelimo is expected to be sworn in as President.

Mr Chapo on Monday said he was looking forward to collaboration with legislators.

Outgoing President Filipe Nyusi said Mozambicans placed a lot of trust in the 10th legislature and urged MPs to adopt a sustainable model that would inspire greater public confidence.

“MPs from the four parliamentary benches must realise that the country’s solutions are to be found in parliament itself, which presupposes that the MPs take on the role of discouraging disorder that causes deaths in society,” President Nyusi said.

Renamo’s spokesperson Marciel Macome said the party would not take part in parliament, while MDM president Lutero Simango called for a forensic audit or recount of the votes cast on October 9.

Opposition parties have denounced the presidential election results, even after the Constitutional Council affirmed the electoral commission’s verdict.