The Mozambican government claims that the exclusion of Venâncio Mondlane, the former presidential candidate who is leading the biggest challenge to the election results in Mozambique since the country's first elections, from the political dialogue is because he is not a representative of any party.

Last week, the President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, promised to broaden the dialogue table to end the post-election crisis, including members of civil society and academics. On the same occasion, Chapo announced consensus on terms of reference to discuss state reforms, including changes to the electoral law, after a meeting with four leaders of party forces, but without the presence of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, the second most voted in agreement with the Constitutional Council.

Meanwhile, on Friday, government spokesman Inocêncio Impissa explained the reasons for not including Venâncio Mondlane in the dialogue to end the country's post-election crisis, pointing out that "he is not from any party".

"What is not happening and cannot be demanded is that Venâncio Mondlane be summoned as if he were the representative of a party, what we know is that he is not from any party. In fact, what we have been seeing is that the representatives of the parties have been meeting on a platform with the head of state for dialogue," added Impissa, in a publication from the RFI.

(Photo DR)