Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
MOZAMBIQUE’S ruling party, Frelimo, took its campaign trail to Mutare, as it consolidates the ground and reach out to over 33 000 registered voters in Zimbabwe ahead of the national elections set for October 9, 2024.
The ruling ZANU PF leadership in Manicaland has pledged to support its sister liberation movement.
Mozambique holds presidential and legislative elections on October 9.
Frelimo head of delegation and Central Committee member, Cde Dulce Gemo was confident of a resounding victory for his party, adding that President Filipe Nyusi will not run as a candidate.
He said the Mozambican constitution limits the president to two consecutive five-year terms, and President Nyusi has been in power since 2015.
Cde Gemo said Frelimo — which has been in power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975 — has selected Cde Daniel Chapo (47) as its presidential candidate.
“He is the first Frelimo candidate born after independence to lead the party. He represents the future, and we are confident that his leadership and presidency will have a positive impact on the people of Mozambique.
“Cde Chapo is a fresh political face who appeals to youths, and will garner significant support from that section of the population,” said Cde Gemo.
He said Cde Chapo holds a Bachelor of Law Degree and a Master’s Degree in Development Management, and has served in various political roles, including as an administrator of the districts of Nacala and Palma.
“We are preparing for our national polls through these campaigns that are taking place in Mozambique and other nine countries in the diaspora that have a number of Mozambicans who are registered voters. We are going to win the elections resoundingly as we are development-oriented.
“We thank the people of Zimbabwe and ZANU PF for supporting us. Zimbabwe and Mozambique’s history dates back to the days of the liberation struggle. We share the same history and our people are one,” he said.
He said the two sister republics enjoy cordial relations dating back to the days of the liberation struggle when Mozambique provided sanctuary to ZANLA forces in terms of training camps and material support for the war.
It also accepted hordes of refugees fleeing the war in the then Rhodesia, and in the post-liberation epoch, the two countries have continued being each other’s keeper, with Zimbabwe’s military intervention to assist Mozambique during the Renamo insurgencies.
Chairman of Frelimo in Zimbabwe, Cde Araujo Tomas Mafunde, expressed gratitude for the support from ZANU PF, adding that his party is seeking to reach out to over 33 000 Mozambicans resident in the country.
“Frelimo and ZANU PF are like Siamese twins, and these election campaigns by Frelimo are also ZANU PF campaigns. We launched the campaigns in Bindura on August 24, and went to Rusape, and today we are in Mutare. We will move around the country as we have more than 33 000 registered voters in Zimbabwe. We want every registered voter to exercise their right to vote on October 9,” he said.
ZANU PF Central Committee member, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said the ruling party cannot afford to see Frelimo losing the forthcoming plebiscite.
“We will assist you through our structures. This is the reason why the ZANU PF leadership is here. We are confident that you will romp to victory.
“Zimbabwe and Mozambique are like twins, and we are here to support Frelimo in their campaigns. Our Presidents are united, and we want the liberation war movement to win. Frelimo liberated Mozambique, just like what ZANU PF did in Zimbabwe. We need liberation movements to continue governing their countries to guard against re-colonisation,” said Cde Mugadza.
He said Mozambique sacrificed a lot for Zimbabwe to gain its independence in 1980, and the bond between the two countries was forged in blood and can never be broken.
On the economic front, Zimbabwe continues to make gains in Mozambique, with exports to that market growing by 80,7 percent between January and April this year.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that exports to Mozambique grew from US$106,4 million in 2023 to US$192,2 million this year.
The growth is predicated on renewed interest by the Second Republic to translate stellar relations with regional countries into material economic gains.
ZANU PF Central Committee member, Cde Getrude Mutandi, said Frelimo and ZANU PF have a history of working together.
“Frelimo supported us during the war to liberate our country, and we will also support them. We urge all Mozambican nationals to exercise their right to vote on October 9. We are happy that there are more women here, and we are confident that Cde Chapo will win the elections,” said Cde Mutandi.
