The fight over Nyusi’s third term is on

And: Central and southern Mozambique brace for Freddy’s arrival

Good afternoon. Opposition party Renamo will give a press conference tomorrow to respond to Frelimo’s announcement yesterday that it is seeking to change the constitution in order to remove the requirement to hold elections for district administrators, which was inserted into the constitution as part of a peace deal between the two parties in 2019.

The controversy is multi-layered. On one level, it is clear that Mozambique does not need elected district authorities — at least, not in the model foreseen in the current constitution. The presidency will continue to appoint a person to be in charge of the district, who will work alongside the elected district administrator — creating the same duplication that now exists at the provincial level, with elected governors competing for space, and relevance, with the state secretaries appointed by the President.

The opposition, however, wants the elections to go ahead — and understandably so, as it’s the only way it can gain access to positions of authority, not to mention positions with salaries paid by the state. The President is not going to appoint a Renamo person as a district administrator; but the people might elect one.

But finally, this is also a proxy battle between people who want, and don’t want, to change the constitution for other reasons — in particular, to remove the prohibition on a President seeking a third term. As President Nyusi’s second term comes to an end next year, the question is gaining urgency for him and his supporters. Yesterday’s announcement in parliament is the clearest sign yet that this fight is really on.

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Agenda:

• Today: First Media and Brand Awards, organised by Media Club in partnership with Cine Group, at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre, Maputo 

• Today: Health ministry launches the New System of Information on Medicines and Medical Articles (nSIMAM), at VIP hotel, Maputo 

• Tomorrow: Renamo’s parliamentary group to give a press conference regarding district elections, 10am at the national parliament in Maputo

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The latest from Zitamar News:

BP to sell Mozambique aviation fuel business to Puma Energy
If approved, the sale to Trafigura-owned Puma will complete BP’s exit from the country

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From the Zitamar Live Blog:

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Current projections indicate that severe tropical storm Freddy will hit Mozambique between Govuro and Vilankulo in Inhambane province in the early hours of tomorrow

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💥 Conflict updates:

21 February 2023: Nicokue, Montepuez district, Cabo Delgado
Insurgents attacked a bus in the village of Nicokue as it was driving between Nairoto and Namoro. All the passengers appear to have escaped unharmed but the bus was subsequently set on fire

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Also in the news:

• Frelimo plans constitutional amendment to avoid district elections

• Maritime authority complains of lack of vessels 

• Military and police to receive retroactive payments in March 

• Heavy rain cuts highway N6 in Sofala province 

• Sasol spends $1bn to keep Mozambican gas flowing

• Survey to study informal cross-border trade

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News