Historic promulgation: what does the new Local Authorities Law mean for Mozambique?

In a solemn act on Tuesday, Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, promulgated the revision of the Basic Law on Local Authorities. This reform, a landmark in the political landscape, introduces a free choice of replacement for the municipal mayor in extreme cases, such as death or incapacity through illness.

The previous legislation, dating from 2018, was repealed by this new law, recently approved by the Assembly of the Republic. The Presidency of the Republic confirmed that the head of State verified the legality of the text, ensuring its compliance with the fundamental law.

The new legislation marks an important turning point in local politics, eliminating the automatic appointment of the number two on the winning election list as replacement for the list leader in the event of death. Now, the winning party can nominate any member of its list, thanks to the approved amendments.

This revision, voted on 7 August, had 175 votes in favour from the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), the ruling party. On the other hand, the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) rejected the document with 45 votes against.

The new law also increases the central Government's powers over local government bodies and introduces significant innovations. One of the main ones is the granting of powers to the Council of Ministers to ensure the functioning of local authorities during the transition period between local government bodies.

In addition, there is a harmonisation of the deadlines for the inauguration and end of term of elected bodies, eliminating overlaps. The law also provides for the gradual transfer of powers from central to local government in social and economic areas, based on the development of each local authority.

This revision was celebrated by Frelimo's MPs, but criticised by Renamo and the MDM. While Frelimo highlighted the merit and timeliness of the proposal, Renamo denounced the concentration of powers in the central executive, and the MDM warned of the need to transfer powers to local authorities.

In Mozambique, with its 65 local authorities, the impact of this new law is awaited in the next elections, scheduled for 11 October. In the 2018 local elections, Frelimo emerged victorious in 44 of the 53 local authorities, with the opposition securing only nine victories, divided between Renamo and the MDM.