Political parties in Mozambique call for peaceful election campaign

MAPUTO, Sept. 25 — Main political parties in Mozambique on Monday called for peaceful municipal election campaign scheduled from Tuesday to October 7.
The spokesman for the ruling Frelimo party, Caifadine Manasse, told a press conference that his party will conduct an orderly campaign, hoping that all other parties will do so.
“We want this campaign to be crowned with a civic attitude, to further consolidate the process of democracy building in Mozambique,” said Manasse.
The interim leader of the main opposition Renamo Ossufo Momade, in a telephone conference, told reporters that his party will bet on the campaign in a climate of order and peace.
“We hope that the electoral manifesto will be disseminated in a climate of peace to become a source of national and international pride,” he said, from the Gorongosa district where he lives and commands the party. He added that the media should treat all parties the same.
“Our appeal also goes to the Defense and Security Forces, who shall be impartial in enforcing the order,” Momande said.
The National Electoral Commission of Mozambique (CNE) urged the parties to respect the “ethical principles of the campaign, as provided by law.”
“This is a good time to call for peace and mutual respect, and to further consolidate the spirit of decentralization of powers,” CNE president Abudul Carimo said in a press conference in Maputo on Monday.
Carimo called on the parties to coordinate with the security authorities in terms of campaign routes to ensure public order and tranquility.

Xinhua