Mozambique forms new party
2009-03-07 17:23
Maputo - Breakaway members of Mozambican
opposition party Renamo have launched a new party ahead of
national elections, posing a serious challenge to the ruling
Frelimo party, state radio reported late on Friday.
The Democratic Movement of Mozambique's (MDM) would-be
leader, Beira mayor Daviz Simango, is expected to face incumbent
President Armando Guebuza of Frelimo in general polls due to be
held between November and December.
While Guebuza and Frelimo, which have led the country since
1994, are widely expected to win, the MDM is seen as posing the
first serious challenge since Renamo lost credibility under the
faltering leadership of former rebel leader Afonso Dhlakama.
"The opening of this convention means the birth of a party,
a movement, that is going to create political balance in the
Republic of Mozambique," MDM spokesperson Geraldo Carvalho told the
radio.
Other smaller parties are expected to stand for the polls,
but only Frelimo and MDM are seen as playing a major role.
Mozambique, one of Africa's poorest countries and still
largely dependent on agriculture, has become popular with
foreign companies and investors interested in staking a claim to
Africa's vast mineral and energy resources.