The North Africa Journal: 15 October 2018: MEA Risk reports that the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo) has won Mozambique’s municipal elections in 44 of the country’s 53 municipalities, according to official figures released on 14 October. Elections took place on 10 October. Only the results from Malema in the north of the country remain unknown, though the deadline for publication of results by local electoral bodies was the 14th.
– Renamo, Mozambique’s main opposition party threatened to break off talks with the government unless action is taken to end what it characterized as “attempts to modify fraudulently the results of 10 October local elections in three municipalities.” Renamo’s Ossufo Momade gave a detailed and highly specific account of the irregularities.
– Five people were killed and 26 arrested during the 13-day local election campaign, which preceded the 10 October vote in Mozambique, according to the police. Most incidents were accidental in nature. However, there have been several cases of violence during the election day proper. In Zambézia, the police used force to dispers MDM protesters. In the same province, the police also used teargas to disperse another Renamo parade in Alto Molocue. In Sofala, two Renamo militants were injured during disturbances in the municipality of Marromeu. In Nampula, eection violence in Nacala Porto resulted in at least seven wounded. In Tete, a violent confrontation between Frelimo and Renamo caravans on 7 October, and a violent police raid on the Renamo headquarters brought the campaign to an end there. Twelve Renamo members were arrested.
