Mozambique's President Nyusi Rejects Foreign Mediation, Calls for Local Resolution of Election Dispute

Mozambique's President, Filipe Nyusi, has firmly dismissed the idea of foreign intervention to soothe the country's post-election unrest, pushing instead for a homegrown approach to peace. In a recent gathering with key political figures, Nyusi emphasized the importance of a dialogue free from external manipulation, stating, "We believe in our own capacity because when the matter is handled by ourselves, it allows for a solution without schemes, arrangements, or interests."

During the meeting, which excluded representatives from the Nova Democracia party, Nyusi reiterated his belief in national unity and inclusivity, saying, "There are no small people, no small parties; Mozambique belongs to everyone, and we must be in a position to embrace all perspectives." His call to action was clear: Mozambican solutions for Mozambican problems.

The current discord arose from the disputed election results, with opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane leading the charge against the Constitutional Council's declaration that awarded victory to Frelimo and its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo.

Nyusi's meeting included high-profile individuals like Renamo's Ossufo Momade, MDM's Lutero Simango, Frelimo's Daniel Chapo, Podemos' Albino Forquilha, and ND's Salomão Muchanga, highlighting his intent to engage with a broad spectrum of political voices.

He underscored the historical precedent of Mozambicans solving their own complex issues, saying, "Solutions for Mozambique can only be found by us Mozambicans. ... but the most complex solutions, which took years to resolve, were found by us, Mozambicans." Nyusi advocates for an inclusive approach, warning against the pitfalls of exclusion: "If we opt for exclusion, we won’t be able to solve the problems. When there are issues, and when we all come together, we emerge more triumphant."

The election outcome, officially announced on December 23, confirmed Chapo as Nyusi's successor with 65.17% of the vote, while Frelimo maintained its legislative stronghold. This declaration, however, has not been accepted by all, leading to violent protests by Mondlane's supporters, who garnered 24% of the vote. The demonstrations have turned deadly, with recent clashes resulting in at least 175 deaths in the last week, pushing the total number of fatalities since October 21 to 277, with 586 people injured, as reported by the Decide electoral platform.

Nyusi's stance against foreign mediation is a significant declaration of national sovereignty in handling internal crises, but it also places the onus on domestic political actors to navigate through the turmoil towards a peaceful resolution.