Africa-Press – Mozambique. The leader of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) and Mozambican head of state, Daniel Chapo, has called on the party to prepare for victory in the 2028 local and general elections in 2029.
“While others are still thinking about last year, we have to start thinking about 2028 and 2029, because victory is prepared and victory is organised,” he said at the opening of the 4th ordinary session of the Frelimo Central Committee, which will take place over three days in Matola, on the outskirts of Maputo.
“Let’s make the most of this session to keep the party at the forefront of the destinies of Mozambicans. Frelimo has this principle that victory is prepared, victory is organised. We will reflect deeply on the elections of 9 October, but also prepare for our victories in 2028 and 2029,” added the Frelimo president in the same speech.
Daniel Chapo was elected the fifth President of the Republic of Mozambique on 9 October, against a backdrop of strong protest and social unrest, in protests called by the then presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane – who does not recognise the election results – during which more than 360 people died in five months.
Chapo asked the party’s Political Commission to reflect on the factors that led to the post-election demonstrations, among which, he emphasised, “the government’s difficulties in providing basic needs to the population, the political intolerance installed in society, the posture of arrogance and lack of humility of some leaders that creates distance with our populations”, asking for actions for the party to “get the country out of the current crisis”.
The leader of Frelimo and president of Mozambique also wants actions to give the party “dignity” to continue governing the country, including deepening internal democracy, so he asked members to be more open to criticism in the face of the country’s challenges.
“We must be more open to debate, criticism, and self-criticism, avoiding putting ourselves in a defensive position. We invite all the members of the organs and guests to step outside the box, recognise our weaknesses, take on board our weaknesses as an organisation and articulate effective strategies that will lead us to self-overcoming and to strengthening cohesion and true unity within the party,” he said.
In his opening speech, Chapo also urged the Central Committee to discuss the ideological orientation of the party’s members, pointing out that maintaining national unity and patriotism was essential.
“Frelimo has a great mission to go down to the grassroots with a message of peace, love, forgiveness, reconciliation and harmony between our Mozambican brothers and sisters, explaining the real electoral truth. It is essential to go back to the people to deconstruct the narratives of the gospel of hatred sown by some political forces, which has created mourning, pain and incalculable losses,” said Chapo.
The 4th session of the Central Committee is taking place until Saturday at the Frelimo Central School and will essentially analyse internal management issues, including reports from the party’s structures and the proposed Plan of Activities and Budget for 2025.
According to information from Frelimo, the meeting will also analyse the proposal for the Government’s Five-Year Programme (2025-2029) and the proposal for the Economic and Social Plan and the State Budget for 2025, which have already been submitted to parliament.
The full members of Frelimo’s Central Committee are meeting again after unsurprisingly choosing Daniel Chapo as party president and Chakil Aboobakar as secretary-general in February, following a vote in the main body between congresses.
The Mozambican President took over the leadership of Frelimo on 14 February, having been the sole candidate to succeed Filipe Nyusi’s ten-year leadership of the country and the party.
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