The Catholic Church in Mozambique is concerned about civil servants abandoning their jobs to devote themselves to Frelimo's election campaign. The archbishop of the Catholic Church in Beira, Dom Claudio Dalla Zuana, warns that many schools are not working, stressing that the election campaign must not paralyze the country.

"Civil servants shouldn't feel that campaign time is a leave of absence. There are too many schools that don't have classes, perhaps teachers feel relieved or have other occupations. The election campaign is not to stop the country for a while, but to show how we serve the country and the people," explained Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuana, in a publication from the RFI.

The archbishop of the Catholic Church in Beira also draws attention to the electoral promises that have been made recently, pointing out that politicians should keep their speeches realistic.

"Of course we want to grow and restore a lot of infrastructure. We want to do a lot, but it's important that realism prevails in the election campaign. Otherwise it could turn into a lie," he said.

Mozambique is holding general elections on October 9, which include presidential, legislative, provincial assembly and provincial governor elections.

A total of 37 political forces are running in the legislative and provincial elections, with Daniel Chapo, backed by the ruling Frelimo party, Ossufo Momade, the Renamo candidate, Lutero Simango, backed by the MDM and Venâncio Mondlane, now backed by the extra-parliamentary parties Povo Optimista para o Desenvolvimento de Moçambique (PODEMOS) and Revolução Democrática (RD).

(Photo DR)