Mozambique’s Top Court Dismisses Claim to Annul Election

The largest opposition party in Mozambique, Renamo, has had their claim to annul the results of the recent general election dismissed by the country’s top court.

The Constitutional Court posted a written judgement on its website explaining the case had been dismissed because “The applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to support its claim”.

The decision means that President Filipe Nyusi and his ruling Frelimo Party maintain the balance of power.

It was hoped that the October election would solidify the peace deal signed in August, ending 40 years of hostilities between the two parties, but Renamo’s leader Ossufo Momade has said the court’s decision risked the country sliding back into violence.

He claims the election was only won by Frelimo because they conducted major electoral fraud.

“If one wants to save Mozambique” he said, “the election must be annulled”, adding that Renamo had so far respected the peace.

“We will not accept that a small group of people alter the will of the Mozambican people”.

In the run-up to the election the country experienced widespread violence, in particular from a breakaway group of former Renamo fighters, who staged attacks largely in the country’s central regions.

Since the poll several other instances of violence have been recorded, and analysts fear the court’s decision could further antagonise the warring parties.