Maputo, Oct. 1, 2024 (Lusa) - Mozambican political analyst Dércio Alfazema believes that the presidential candidates for the general elections are presenting promises of dubious viability and unrealistic and cannot point to the source of the resources needed to govern.
"Although there is a general consensus on the need to fight corruption and boost the economy, the measures proposed sometimes seem unrealistic, and do not address the structural challenges facing the country, let alone global and regional variables," said Alfazema, in an analysis entitled “Economic Vision of the candidates for the presidential elections in Mozambique” to which Lusa had access.
The author of the document is a university lecturer with a master's degree in Sociology and Development Management, and was an election observer for Sala da Paz, a coalition of civil society organisations that observe electoral processes in the country.
According to Dércio Alfazema, "voters must evaluate not only the candidates" promises but also the practical capacity of each one to implement their proposals within the context of limited financial resources and the social reality".
On the other hand, he continued, it is essential that civil society, experts, and voters are actively involved in the discussion of these proposals to ensure that the solutions presented are viable and effective.
Dércio Alfazema believes that presidential candidate Daniel Chapo, supported by the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), has the challenge of building voter confidence and demonstrating that his manifesto is not just about promises but will be implemented if he is chosen in the general elections on 9 October.
The analyst noted that Chapo presents an "economic vision that demonstrates synchronisation and clarity".
Regarding presidential candidate Ossufo Momade, supported by the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), the main opposition party, Dércio Alfazema notes that the politician "doesn't explain how he intends to achieve the goal of ending terrorism [in Cabo Delgado province] and kidnappings [in some Mozambican cities], given the level of sophistication and transnationality of these criminal networks".
"Ossufo Momade defends in his rallies that Mozambique is a rich country but that it is being badly managed. However, he does not refer to fiscal policy, public revenue and expenditure," reads the analysis.
Dércio Alfazema notes that presidential candidate Lutero Simango, supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third largest parliamentary force, doesn't say how he will compensate for the inevitable budget deficit, which will be accentuated by his promise to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) from 16% to 14%.
"Lutero Simango hopes that these measures will reduce the cost of living, allow more money to circulate, and, consequently, increase revenue collection. Although these measures may ease the financial pressure on consumers and have the potential to stimulate consumption, in a context of budget deficit, they raise doubts about their viability," reads the analysis.
As for Venâncio Mondlane, the candidate supported by the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), Dércio Alfazema advocates "caution" regarding the politician's promise to renegotiate contracts with multinationals involved in resource exploitation.
"In a strongly nationalist approach, Venâncio Mondlane defends, with verticality, the renegotiation of contracts with companies that exploit natural resources, proposing a greater state share in profits. This measure needs to be considered with some caution, as these contracts respect the rules of international law and, when poorly managed, can subject the country to penalties and the risk of driving away investors," he emphasises.
Mozambique is holding its seventh presidential elections on 9 October, in which the current head of state, Filipe Nyusi, who has reached the constitutional limit of two terms, is no longer running, at the same time as the seventh legislative elections and the fourth for provincial assemblies and governors.
PMA/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
