Mozambique Dialogue Risks Politicization, Undermining Peace Efforts

• Mozambique's 'inclusive national dialogue' risks being politicized, undermining peace efforts.
• Previous peace agreements failed because they were overly politicized, rather than building trust among Mozambicans.
• Key opposition figures, such as Venancio Mondlane and his party Anamola, have been excluded from the committee organizing the dialogue (COTE).
• The exclusion of Anamola and Mondlane could lead to the dialogue becoming an expensive irrelevance, lacking representation from key opposition groups.

The entire peace process failed to foster trust among the actors, and the management of this period, from 1994 to 2024, has been defined by constant conflict.

In Mozambique, the 'inclusive national dialogue' is at risk of being politicized, undermining efforts towards peace and electoral reforms. The dialogue was initiated in March 2025 by President Daniel Chapo and nine political parties, with the country's parliament transforming it into a law. However, prominent academic Lourenço do Rosário has warned that previous peace agreements failed because they were overly politicized, rather than focusing on building trust among Mozambicans.

The protests against the 2024 general elections' allegedly fraudulent results sparked widespread unrest, with hundreds of people taking to the streets across the country. The protests started peacefully but turned into rioting. Do Rosário believes that the country has yet to create mechanisms for dialogue and is now running out of time, with the 2028 electoral calendar approaching.

The academic also pointed out that the peace process has failed to foster trust among actors, with constant conflict defining management from 1994 to 2024.

The inclusive national dialogue is based on a document signed by President Chapo and nine political parties. The country's parliament transformed this document into a law. However, the exclusion of key opposition figures, such as Venancio Mondlane and his party Anamola, from the committee organizing the dialogue (COTE) has raised concerns about the legitimacy and inclusivity of the process.

Mondlane expressed interest in participating in the dialogue after his party was formed but has yet to be given a seat on COTE. The exclusion of Anamola and Mondlane could lead to the dialogue becoming an expensive irrelevance, as it lacks representation from key opposition groups.

The potential collapse of the inclusive national dialogue in Mozambique has significant implications for peace and electoral reforms. If the dialogue becomes politicized, it could lead to renewed conflict and undermine efforts towards state reforms. The exclusion of key opposition figures from the process raises concerns about its legitimacy and inclusivity.

Do Rosário's warnings highlight the need for a more inclusive and trust-building approach to the dialogue. The country is running out of time, with the 2028 electoral calendar approaching, and it is essential that mechanisms for dialogue are created to ensure a peaceful and stable transition.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential collapse of the inclusive national dialogue in Mozambique, which could lead to renewed conflict and undermine efforts towards electoral and state reforms.

Source: Original reporting via AIM