Karume calls for security ahead of Mozambique polls
MOZAMBIQUE: FORMER President of Zanzibar and Head of the Southern African Development Community Election Observation Mission (SEOM) in Mozambique, Amani Abeid Karume has urged the Mozambique Police Force to continue strengthening security to ensure that the upcoming general election proceeds peacefully and calmly.
The elections are scheduled for Wednesday, October 9. Mr Karume made this appeal on Wednesday after a meeting with Deputy Police Commissioner General Julho Amaral Bonicila.
During their discussion, the Police Commissioner assured Karume that the situation in the country leading up to the elections is stable, with citizens continuing their daily activities as usual.
“The Police Force has been enhancing security across the country and citizens have no concerns as they prepare to participate in the general election,” he stated.
Accompanying Mr Karume were members of the Troika from Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi, along with representatives from the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC).
Before the election, Karume is expected to meet with various stakeholders, including the Mozambique National Electoral Commission (CNE), political parties, civil society organisations, religious institutions and the media.
Yesterday, Mr Karume officially launched the SADC Election Observation Mission in Mozambique.
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Following the election on October 11, he is expected to provide a preliminary report on the mission after the electoral process is completed.
Karume was appointed to lead the mission by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
In accordance with Article 8 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines, President Karume was appointed as Head of Mission for SEOM Mozambique on September 25th this year, with a mandate for the SADC Secretariat to coordinate the SEOM and facilitate the deployment of observers.
The SEOM will be deployed across the country’s provinces to observe the preand post-election phases, as well as polling day, to assess the conduct of the elections against the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.
These guidelines emphasise the importance of citizen participation, the prevention of political violence and intimidation and the promotion of equal opportunities for all political parties in accessing state media and information related to the elections.
