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Tell Renamo Election Boycott Will Not Be Rewarded Tell Renamo Election Boycott Will Not Be Rewarded http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.af000407 Use of the Aluka digital library is subject to Aluka’s Terms and Conditions, available at http://www.aluka.org/page/about/termsConditions.jsp. By using Aluka, you agree that you have read and will abide by the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, the Terms and Conditions provide that the content in the Aluka digital library is only for personal, non-commercial use by authorized users of Aluka in connection with research, scholarship, and education. The content in the Aluka digital library is subject to copyright, with the exception of certain governmental works and very old materials that may be in the public domain under applicable law. Permission must be sought from Aluka and/or the applicable copyright holder in connection with any duplication or distribution of these materials where required by applicable law. Aluka is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to creating and preserving a digital archive of materials about and from the developing world. For more information about Aluka, please see http://www.aluka.org Tell Renamo Election Boycott Will Not Be Rewarded Author/Creator Africa Fund; American Committee on Africa; Washington Office on Africa Publisher Africa Fund Date 1994-10-28 Resource type Reports Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) Mozambique, United States, Zimbabwe Coverage (temporal) 1975 - 1994 Source Africa Action Archive Rights By kind permission of Africa Action, incorporating the American Committee on Africa, The Africa Fund, and the Africa Policy Information Center. Description Boycott. Renamo. Mozambique National Resistance. Election. Afonso Dhlakama. National Election Commission. United Nations. Frontline States. Joaquim Chissano. Rhodesian government. South African military. National Security Advisor Anthony Lake. Format extent 1 page(s) (length/size) http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.af000407 http://www.aluka.org 17 John Street e New York, NY 10038 (212) 962-1210 William H. Booth. President 17 John Street e New York, NY 10038 (212) 962-1210 William H. Booth. President Wyatt Tee Walker. Vice President David Scott. Vice President ,Jennifer Davis. Executive Director TELL RENAMO ELECTION BOYCOTT WILL NOT BE REWARDED October 28, 1994 -- The threat to successful democratic Mozambique elections posed by a last-minute boycott by Renamo, the formerly South African-backed Mozambique National Resistance, appears to have been removed. Under intense international pressure, Renamo Presidential candidate Afonso Dhlakama re- entered the race today. Mozambicans signaled their desire for successful peaceful elections by voting in large numbers in all parts of the country in the first scheduled day of national elections yesterday, despite a boycott call only hours before the polls opened. Renamo spokesmen had accused the Mozambican government, the independent National Electoral Commission and the United Nations of plotting to cheat them of victory. The incident was the latest in a long series of maneuvers by which Dhlakama has apparently hoped to extract new concessions, including a share of power to be guaranteed before the election. The Mozambican government has been under intense pressure from the United States and other outside powers to make such an agreement. It is reported that the pressure continues, this time to announce a government of national unity even before the vote count is completed. The Frontline States, meeting in Harare on Tuesday, strongly criticized international efforts to dictate a solution to Mozambique. Frelimo Presidential candidate Joaquim Chissano has consistently argued that the people should first be allowed to have their say at the polls. In his view, while the rights of opposition parties should be respected, and a new government should reach out to incorporate diverse sectors of national life, a functioning government should only incorporate those who are willing to cooperate in implementing the program of the winning party. The elections are the culminating step in implementation of the peace accord signed between the Mozambican government and Renamo in Rome two years ago. Renamo, founded as a guerrilla group by the former Rhodesian government, and taken over as a client by the South African military in 1980, has received $19 million from outside donors to try to transform itself into a political party and clean up its image as a perpetrator of atrocities against civilians. It is important that all those concerned with peace and democracy in Mozambique reaffirm that (1) the electoral process, including the vote count, should continue, with or without Renamo, including addressing any legitimate questions raised about flaws in the procedures; (2) the Renamo leaders should not be rewarded with additional concessions for their attempts to sabotage the electoral process; and, (3) the U.S. should refrain from any pressure or posture that would encourage Renamo to make additional demands or threats. Send messages expressing your concerns to: National Security Advisor Anthony Lake (Phone: 202-456-1414; Fax: 202-456-2883). Copies should be sent to: Edward Brynn, Dep. Asst. Sec. of State for African Affairs (Phone: 202-6474485; Fax: 202-647-6301); Senator Paul Simon (Phone: 202-224-2152; Fax:202-224-0868); and Representative Harry Johnston (Phone: 202-225-3001; Fax: 202-225-8791). This alert prepared jointly by the Washington Office on Africa, the American Committee on Africa, and the Mozambique Solidarity Office. For more information contact Jennifer Davis at 212-962-1210. Supporting African freedom and independence since 1953 # Established The Africa Fund. 1966.
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