Filipe Nyusi resigned as President of the Frelimo Party, paving the way for Daniel Chapo’s expected election. Nyusi acknowledged debates about the constitutionality of dual leadership roles, while the Centre for Public Integrity filed an injunction against Chapo’s ascent. Leadership changes within the party are anticipated following this transition.
On Friday, former President Filipe Nyusi resigned as the leader of Mozambique’s ruling Frelimo Party. His resignation occurred during an extraordinary Frelimo Central Committee meeting, where his successor is set to be elected. Nyusi submitted a letter detailing his resignation to the party’s Political Commission, which was subsequently accepted without delay by the Central Committee.
This resignation paves the way for the anticipated election of Daniel Chapo as the new Frelimo leader, given he is the only candidate. The only uncertainty lies in whether members of the Central Committee may submit blank or invalid ballots during the election process.
During his resignation announcement, Nyusi acknowledged existing debates regarding the constitutionality of holding both the presidential and party leadership positions simultaneously. He indicated that this issue would be addressed at an upcoming Frelimo Congress.
Critics argue that the arrangement may violate Article 148 of the Mozambican Constitution, which prohibits the President from holding additional public functions, classifying political party leadership as such. This controversial interpretation raises significant constitutional questions regarding the distribution of power in Mozambique.
In a relevant legal move, the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), an anti-corruption NGO, filed for an injunction against Chapo’s ascension to Frelimo’s presidency at the Maputo City Law Court. However, as of Friday afternoon, there were no updates indicating the court’s action on this request.
Should Chapo become President of Frelimo as expected, he will need to vacate his role as General Secretary, prompting the Central Committee to select a new General Secretary. Currently, no candidates have emerged for this role, maintaining the uncertainty around the party’s leadership transition.
Filipe Nyusi’s resignation from the Frelimo leadership sets the stage for Daniel Chapo’s likely election as his successor. The constitutional implications of a dual role as party leader and state president remain contentious, with legal actions ongoing to challenge this arrangement. The party must also navigate leadership changes within its ranks following this transition.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
