The president of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), Ossufo Momade, has been confirmed as the candidate of the largest opposition party in the presidential elections of 9 October. This decision was taken unanimously at the party's congress, as announced by spokesman José Manteigas.
Details of the internal election
Renamo's congress, held in Alto Molócuè, Zambézia province, re-elected Ossufo Momade as party leader, with 57% of the votes. Of the 710 members registered to vote, 674 cast their vote, with 382 votes in favour of Momade. Elias Dhlakama, brother of the late historic leader Afonso Dhlakama, received 147 votes, while Ivone Soares, a member of parliament and the first woman to stand for the Renamo leadership, won 78 votes.
Ossufo Momade was already a presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, in which he came second with 21.88% of the votes, while Filipe Nyusi was re-elected with 73%.
Commitment to unity
After the results were proclaimed, Momade called for unity within the party, saying that he intends to work with all members and candidates, and emphasising the need for cooperation and internal democracy. He stressed that "no one can be left out" and that everyone must work together to strengthen the party.
Controversy and exclusions
The congress was also marked by the exclusion of Venâncio Mondlane, who had submitted a candidacy for the leadership but was disqualified for failing to meet the requirements set by the party's bodies. Mondlane tried to appeal to the courts to overturn the decision, but his candidacy was not reinstated
