Council endorses October elections: new parliament installed.

The first ever multi-party elections in Mozambique, held from 27 to 29 October, were declared "free and fair" on 19 November by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Mozambique, Aldo Ajello. In a statement made following the announcement by the National Elections Commission (NEC) that Mozambique's incumbent President Joaquim Chissano had won the election, Mr. Ajello said the outcome of the presidential election and the composition of the new assembly "reflect the will of the Mozambican voters". The electoral process, he said, had been "characterized by the impartiality, the dedication and the high degree of professionalism" of the electoral authorities, and had been "distinguished by the strong commitment of the political players to let the principles of democracy prevail".

'Massive turnout'

On 2 November, while ballots were still being counted, the Special Representative had reported a "massive voter turnout nationwide", with more than 90 per cent of the registered electorate having voted in some provinces. Voting had been "characterized by a remarkable absence of violence, intimidation and coercion", and the UN had received "no information about any major irregularity, incident or breach" of the electoral law.

On 19 November, the NEC announced that President Chissano had received 2,633,740 votes, or 53.3 per cent of those cast. A total of 5,402,940 persons, representing 87.9 per cent of all registered voters, had participated in the presidential election.

Afonso Dhlakama, President of the Mozambique Resistance Movement (RENAMO), received 1,666,965 votes, or 33.7 per cent. The third largest number of votes--2.9 per cent--had been received by Wehia Ripua of the Partido Democratico de Mocambique.

In the legislative election, the Frente de Libertacao de Mocambique (FRELIMO) took the largest share of the votes with 2,115,793 (44.3 per cent), followed by RENAMO with 1,803,506 (37.8 per cent) and the Uniao Democratica (UD) with 245,793 (5.2 per cent). Those three parties would have the following share of the new Parliament's 250 seats: FRELIMO--129, RENAMO--109 and UD--12. Twelve candidates had participated in the presidential election, and 14 political parties and coalitions in the legislative election.

Call for national reconciliation

Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on 19 November called on all Mozambicans to "begin the task of national reconciliation and to ensure that peace and stability prevail".

The Security Council on 21 November endorsed the results and called on the parties to "stand by their obligation to accept and fully abide" by them. In resolution 960 (1994), it urged continuing the process of national reconciliation based on "a system of multi-party democracy and the observance of democratic principles".

General Assembly President Amara Essy of Cote d'Ivoire, also on 21 November, declared that the Mozambican people could now "launch and win the only battle worth fighting, namely, the battle for the reconstruction and economic and social development of Mozambique and for the achievement of the well-being" of its people.

The Council, by resolution 957 (1994) of 15 November, had welcomed the elections and reiterated its intention to endorse the results should the UN declare them free and fair. It also extended the mandate of the UN Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) until the new Government would take office, but not later than 15 December, and authorized it to carry out and complete residual operations prior to withdrawal on or before 31 January 1995.

On 8 December, Mozambique's new Parliament was installed in Maputo and President Chissano was inaugurated the following day. Thus, the ONUMOZ mandate formally came to an end. ONUMOZ will continue to carry out residual functions until the end of January 1995.

Congratulating the people of Mozambique for their peaceful fulfilment of the goals of the General Peace Agreement, the Security Council on 14 December said it believed that "with the new governmental structure in place, the foundations have been laid to secure lasting peace, stability, national reconciliation and democracy".

A 'remarkable achievement'

In his final report (S/1994/1449) of 23 December on ONUMOZ, Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali declared that the "success of the operation represents an example of what can be achieved through the United Nations when all forces join together in one common endeavour towards a common goal".

ONUMOZ had verified and monitored the implementation of the General Peace Agreement signed in Rome on 4 October 1992, from the establishment of the initial implementation structures to the assembly of approximately 92,000 troops and the demobilization of 80,000 of them. All major aspects of the Agreement and the ONUMOZ mandate had been implemented, and the peace process had come to a successful conclusion. It was a "remarkable achievement", he concluded.

ONUMOZ had also coordinated and monitored humanitarian assistance operations, provided technical aid to and verified the entire electoral process, culminating in the October 1994 elections, the Secretary-General said. It had assisted in the formation of a new joint army comprising some 12,000 troops and, in accordance with Council resolution 898 (1994) of 23 February, monitored the activities of the Mozambican national police.

On the humanitarian assistance programmes, ONUMOZ had overseen the return of 4.3 million people to their original areas of residence and contributed significantly to the opening of previously inaccessible regions for the delivery of relief assistance.

Since its establishment in December 1992, the Operation had built more than 700 primary schools and 250 health facilities, with the help of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Another 310 health posts would be reconstructed under a project of the World Bank and the World Food Programme (WFP). Also, WFP and local authorities were working together to distribute seed.

The withdrawal of the ONUMOZ military component was proceeding according to plan, with the mission carrying out residual operations. More than 1,000 UN civilian police (CIVPOL) from 29 countries, together with the other ONUMOZ components, had monitored the electoral campaign, assisted in verifying the political rights of individuals, groups and political organizations, and served as electoral observers. These police observers were now being withdrawn.

Some issues, however, remained to be addressed, the Secretary-General reported, such as the existence of arms caches and land mines, and the continuing need to train and equip the new defence force and the national police.

"Mozambique's democratic institutions must also be strengthened and economic and social integration promoted in order to ensure that peace, democracy and development can be sustained", he stressed.

Appeal for calm

A week before the elections, on 21 October, the Secretary-General reported (S/1994/1196) that there had been no violation of the cease-fire for many months; voter registration had been concluded in an orderly manner, and the electoral campaign, now in its most active phase, was "generally progressing well".

There was, he warned, an "obvious risk that political temperatures will rise before and immediately after the poll", and particular caution and statesmanship would be required.

Also on 21 October, in a statement by its President, David Hannay of the United Kingdom, the Council declared that "necessary conditions" had been established for holding free and fair elections under effective national and international monitoring. It appealed for a "calm and responsible" approach to the campaign and voting.

On election eve, Mr. Dhlakama of RENAMO, alleging irregularities, announced his party's withdrawal from the polls, threatening the entire process. On 27 October, the first day of elections, the Security Council sent a message to Mr. Dhlakama, appealing to him to reconsider and asserting that appropriate procedures were in place through the NEC to address any concern RENAMO might have. The Council urged RENAMO "not to put this opportunity in peril".

Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali, in a statement that same day, stressed that elections must go ahead as planned and agreed, and that the parties must fully honour their commitments in that regard. Meanwhile, UN monitors reported a huge voter turnout and no major irregularities.

Following intensive efforts, Mr. Dhlakama on 28 October reversed his position and decided to vote, after guarantees of close monitoring by the international community. Elections were extended by a third day to allow for the high turnout and the resolution of difficulties before polls closed.

Also, the NEC, in close cooperation with ONUMOZ, undertook to ensure that the complaints about irregularities submitted by RENAMO and certain other opposition parties were investigated. Polls closed on the evening of 29 October.

On 2 November, Special Representative Ajello stated UN "observation would not support any possible claim of fraud or intimidation, or any other patterns of incidents that could have affected the credibility of the elections".

Emerging from war

The General Assembly on 20 December, while expressing satisfaction at the successful implementation of the Rome Agreement, stressed that Mozambique was now "emerging from a devastating war" and required substantial international assistance.

In resolution 49/21 D, it called on the international community to extend support to Mozambique to "establish lasting peace and democracy and to promote an effective programme of national reconstruction and development". It also requested the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to mobilize this assistance.

RELATED ARTICLE: The UN and Mozambique: A Chronology 

1992

4 October: General Peace Agreement signed in Rome.

16 December: Security Council resolution 797 (1992) sets up ONUMOZ to verify the cease-fire, elections and police neutrality and offer humanitarian assistance, including de-mining.

1993

2 April: Secretary-General reports timetables "unrealistic", elections cannot be held in October 1993.

9 July: Council resolution 850 (1993) invites parties to agree to revise timetable.

23 August: Chissano and Dhlakama launch first direct talks.

30 August: Despite delays and difficulties, the parties have accepted October 1994 as election deadline, Secretary-General reports.

13 Sept.: Council resolution 863 (1993) urges parties to apply revised timetable, asks Secretary-General to examine proposal on police monitoring.

17-20 October: Secretary-General visits Mozambique, announces major agreements on assembly and demobilization troops.

30 November: Troop cantonment begins.

1994

12 January: Electoral Law, approved on 9 December, enters into force; dismantling paramilitary troops also commences.

28 January: Secretary-General reports serious problems remain, including demobilization and formation of national defence force. Recommends a large civilian police component.

23 February: Council resolution 898 (1994) authorizes police component, requests proposals for drawing down military personnel and a final timetable.

10 March: Demobilization starts. Training programme for new Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) reported inaugurated.

28 April: "Major political conditions" for completion of Mission reported in place.

5 May: Council resolution 916 (1994) renews ONUMOZ at reduced strength for a final period until 15 November.

1 June: Voter registration begins.

7 July: Assembly and demobilization problems persist. Secretary-General wants process accelerated "dramatically".

7-13 August: Nine-member Security Council mission concludes that, despite difficulties, elections will be held on schedule.

26 August: Secretary-General reports cease-fire respected, assembly process concluded, demobilization almost complete, and progress in electoral process.

7 September: Council satisfied with pace of peace process; restates intention to endorse election results provided UN declares them free and fair.

27-29 October: Elections held.

19 November: National Elections Commission announces election results and the Special Representative declares them "free and fair". Security Council subsequently endorses results.

8 December: New Assembly installed.

9 December: President Chissano inaugurated; ONUMOZ mandate formally ends.