Renamo and Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) deputies take their seats in the Mozambican parliament, the Assembly of the Republic
Maputo, 30 Jan (AIM) – A group of 27 parliamentary deputies from Renamo, now the second largest opposition party in Mozambique, and seven from the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), on Wednesday took their seats in the Mozambican parliament, the Assembly of the Republic.
The two parties had boycotted the formal investiture of the new Assembly on 13 January, but now just over a fortnight later, they abandoned their boycott, and took the oath of office.
Two elected deputies, one from Renamo and one from the MDM, did not attend Wednesday’s session, and no reason for their absence was given.
Addressing the opposition members, the chairperson (Speaker) of the Assembly, Margarida Talapa, stressed the urgent need for all deputies to work for “the pacification of Mozambicans”.
“We are all called upon to urge our fellow countrymen to exercise their rights without affecting the rights of their neighbours”, she declared.
She called on all deputies to respect parliamentary decorum. “The way we act should set an example”, said Talapa. She believed that parliamentary debate should generate consensus, while respecting diversity.
The Assembly, she added, should be the worthy representative of all Mozambicans, regardless of race, sex, ethnic origin, place of birth, religion, education, social position, profession or political beliefs.
On 13 January, all 171 deputies from the ruling Frelimo Party and 39 of the 43 elected from the main opposition party, Podemos, took their seats. The Renamo and MDM deputies all stayed away – but made clear that this was a temporary gesture, and that they would eventually take their seats.
Renamo deputy, Arnaldo Chalaua, who was the spokesperson for the Renamo parliamentary group in the previous parliament, told reporters that his party took its seats as a mark of respect for Mozambicans. “We did so, aware of our moral obligation, and of the contract between the people and Renamo”, he said.
Chalaua insisted that Renamo is still the largest party in the opposition, and that the figures showing that Podemos elected more deputies than Renamo “are not true”.
(AIM)
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