President Felipe Nyusi is expected to extend his term in office, but Renamo leader Ossufo Momade looks set to become the first non-Frelimo state governor.

Some opposition parties are crying foul before the early morning voting queues in Mozambique disperse.

They point to the thousands of election observers unable to be accredited and an imbalance in state-funding of parties contesting the poll.

The election, which has been marred by violence during campaigning,  will severely test the fragile peace deal signed only two months ago by Frelimo and Renamo.

The post Voting in Mozambique election marred by violence appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

The 43-day campaign has seen seven murders and 37 road accident fatalities.

Fighting for a second term, President Felipe Nyusi wrapped up his campaign on Saturday, expressing confidence that the ruling Frelimo party  would extend its 44 years in power.

Renamo’s Ossufo Momade has given him a run for his money.

The opposition party has joined with five others in a pact against electoral fraud.

Observers hoping to keep an eye on polling are struggling to secure accreditation.

In addition to the 44 deaths there have been 271 injuries and 59 arrests related to the election campaign.

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Mariano Nhongo calls Renamo leader Ossufo Momade a traitor and rejects the peace treaty signed with the Maputo government on August 1.

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Mariano Nhongo claims to be the leader of Renamo and says a peace treaty has to be negotiated with him before any elections can be held in Mozambique.

He says Ossufo Momade, elected as leader by the Renamo party conference in January, is a ploy for the Frelimo government and President Felipe Nyusi.

He says he has 500 men under arms who will not leave their 11 bases and  surrender their arms as stipulated by the peace treaty.

The post Renamo military wing leader says there will not be an election in Mozambique if a new peace treaty is not negotiated with him appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

President Felipe Nyusi and Renamo’s Ossufo Momade inked the deal in Maputo yesterday.

This is the second time Renamo has formalized  a peace deal with Mozambique’s Frelimo Government.

The late Afonso Dhlakama signed the first in Rome 26 years ago after the Vatican mediated an end to the 16-year civil war that brought the country to its knees.

Losing successive elections drove Renamo to take up weapons and go back into the bush.

Yesterday’s peace follows the death last year of Dhlakama.

Guests at yesterday’s signing, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame,  heard that Renamo plans to do better in October’s election. 

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