Mozambique: Frelimo Congress re-elects Nyusi as party president

Photo: Frelimo Moçambique / Facebook

Mozambican ruling party Frelimo on Sunday re-elected Filipe Nyusi, for another five-year term as party president, during the 12° Congress currently under way in the town of Matola, southern province of Maputo.

Nyusi, who is also Mozambican Head of State, was the sole candidate for his own succession, having won 100 percent of the votes.

Nyusi’s re-election was a predictable outcome since he had the unconditional support of Frelimo’s social organizations namely the Mozambique Youth Organisation (OJM), the Mozambican Women’s Organisation and the Mozambique’s Association of Veterans of the National Liberation Struggle (ACLLN). Nyusi also had the support of the Central Committee and the Political Commission.

In all, Filipe Nyusi won 1134 votes from an equal number of delegates who voted for his re-election.

This Monday the Congress is expected to choose the new Political Commission and Secretary General.

Soon after his re-election, Nyusi was sworn into office by the honorary President of Frelimo, Joaquim Chissano, and pledged to faithfully serve both Frelimo and the country, ensure internal cohesion, as well as to fulfill all the missions which will be assigned to him.

‘Thank you very much comrades for your genuine support. I promise work, work and work,’ Nyusi said.

Chissano, for his part, said the re-election is a clear expression of will of party members. He reminded the incumbent president that the country is facing a number of challenges, hence the need for greater inclusiveness and national unity. Also, urged to work on the preservation of peace as an indispensable requirement for national unity.

‘Your mission is to ensure reconciliation at all levels. We also want reconciliation with other parties, because we want them to work on people’s development and unity”, he added.

Chissano recalled that several times as president, he was forced to swallow frogs for the sake of peace and national unity. He, therefore, urged Nyusi to have courage and exercise patience, as well as greater maturity to best represent the country at the United Nations Security Council, as non-permanent member to which Mozambique was elected this year.

Nyusi is the 5th Frelimo President in 60 years. The first was Eduardo Mondlane, who is also known as the architect of national unity. After his death in 1969, he was replaced by Samora Machel, who died in 1986. He was then replaced by Chissano an Armando Guebuza 

Source: AIM