Journalists covering the seventh congress of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo, the largest opposition party) were expelled today by members of the party from the event venue and at the entrance there were attacks between supporters.
According to images transmitted live by the media from Alto Molócue, Zambézia province, where the congress is taking place, the journalists were removed from the site, amid visible threats from elements of the organization, to the outside of the perimeter, which by your turn is guarded by a strong police device.
Journalists were watching the entry into the congress – which will choose the party’s president today – of Manuel de Araújo, mayor of Quelimane, Zambézia, member of the political commission and one of the most popular members of Renamo, who had difficulty getting through the police cordon.
“The police took an oath to respect the Constitution of the Republic and they must know how to respect the Constitution of the Republic. No member of the police has the right to touch a member of a party, in this case a congressman. I am a congressman, I have the They have the right to be there in the room. Either they didn’t do their homework or they have other tasks. I’m very sorry, it’s a shame”, said Manuel de Araújo, after passing through the police cordon.
At the entrance to the congress venue, there were riots and attacks, by members of the congress organization and allegedly people accompanying Manuel de Araújo, to block their passage, as was possible to see in the live images.
The threats and expulsions of journalists accredited for the event followed the attempt to confirm Manuel de Araújo’s entry into the congress tent, at around 4:30 pm local time (3:30 pm in Lisbon).
Some sources indicate that this reinforcement of Renamo’s security is linked to fears of a possible attempt to enter the space by supporters of deputy Venâncio Mondlane, who presented his candidacy for party leadership, which was rejected.
700 delegates and around 300 guests are expected for this congress.
Ossufo Momade is the current president of Renamo and is contesting the election, at this congress, with Elias Dhlakama, brother of the party’s historic leader (Afonso Dhlakama), Ivone Soares, deputy and former head of the parliamentary bench, André Magibire, former general secretary, Anselmo Vitor, head of the training department, and Alfredo Magumisse, member of the political commission.
Juliano Picardo, president of the provincial council of Tete, Pedro Murema, member of the provincial council of the city of Maputo and HermÃnio Morais, member of the political commission, are also on the list of candidates for Renamo leadership.
Mozambique will hold general elections on October 9, including presidential elections, in which the current President, Filipe Nyusi, can no longer compete, as he has reached the constitutional limit of two terms.
After the election of the president, Renamo will have to clarify which candidate it will support for the position of President of the Republic in the October elections, who, as a rule, is the party leader.
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