Participation
Mozambique democracy and political participation
Strengthening participatory democracy in Mozambique
Authors:
L. de Brito (ed); G. Mbilana (ed); C. Roque (ed); AfriMAP; Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa
Publisher:
Open Society Institute and Soros Foundations Network, 2009
The quality of governance is a major determinant for the success or failure of nations. This report uses data from interviews and literature reviews to examine the health of Mozambique’s democracy and the quality of political participation in the country. Its aim is to contribute to consolidating democracy and strengthening political participation. It delves into issues of elections, political parties, the functioning of parliament, the roles of media and civil society in policy processes, local governance and development assistance.
The report makes the following recommendations, including:
- Mozambique should ratify international and regional treaties on political participation, democracy and citizenship and should work with civil society towards amending the Constitution
- The government, parliament, political parties and civil society should work together to speed up the legal reforms on gender equality and concerns of the populace. Refugees should be free to circulate, work, be protected and participate politically
- Laws on access to information and press freedom should be put in place, demonstrations should be allowed and police should be trained in legal and human rights matters. International organizations should strengthen civil society organizations
- Elections: Political forces and civil society should discuss constitutional amendments to open up political space to increase contact between the candidates and their voters. Recommendations made by the Constitutional Council and election observers should be implemented
- A decentralization policy which should be approved urgently. The government must transfer tax powers to the municipalities. Popular participation in local governance and the distribution of resources between the central, provincial and districts should be improved
- International donors should demand transparency, better coordination, predictability, harmonization and greater accountability of aid for the good of the citizens. The government should have a cooperation policy and proper negotiations with foreign partners. The country must have strategies to reduce foreign dependence.
