SOUTH AFRICA REITERATES CALLS FOR CALM AND RESTRAINT AMID POST-ELECTION PROTESTS IN MOÇAMBIQUE

The Republic of South Africa, as a Member State of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), formed an integral part of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission
(SEOM) to Moçambique to observe the recently held Presidential, Legislative, and Provincial
elections on 09 October 2024. The entire SEOM was made up of 10 countries, totalling about
53 observers.

The SEOM was led by Dr. Amani Abeid Karume, Former President of Zanzibar, who assumed
the role of Head of Mission, appointed by H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the
United Republic of Tanzania, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on
Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation.

A total number of 17,169,239 Mozambicans, including 333,839, registered to vote in the
country and the diaspora, respectively; however, only 7,464,822 people turned up to vote,
representing a voter turnout of 43%. At the end of the Short-Term Observation Mission, the
Former President of Zanzibar delivered a Preliminary Statement that covered observation of
the pre-election process, voting day, and counting.

It highlighted, amongst others, the late amendment to the Electoral Law having disadvantaged
the voter education process. Nevertheless, the SEOM Preliminary Statement concluded that,
“the SEOM observed that the pre-election and voting phases of the 2024 Presidential,
Legislative, and Provincial Elections were professionally organized, conducted in an orderly,
peaceful, and free atmosphere.”

The Preliminary Statement identified areas for improvement following the Moçambican
elections. The Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika has called for calm and the respect of
available procedures for resolving election disputes. When President Ramaphosa welcomed
the announcement of the preliminary election results, he also reiterated the call for calm,
restraint, and the rule of law in Moçambique. South Africa, therefore, believes that the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections remain the viable set of norms to support the delivery of regular, free, fair, and credible elections in the SADC Member States.

On 6 November 2024, we spoke with our Moçambican counterpart, Minister Verónica
Macamo, and discussed the current security situation in Moçambique following the recent
general elections. South Africa expresses concern at the outbreak of incidents of post-electoral violence and regrets the loss of lives and destruction of property. We once again reiterate the call made by
various leaders in Mozambique to the law enforcement agencies to investigate these incidents
and bring the perpetrators to justice speedily.

We reiterate our calls for calm and restraint, to allow the electoral process to conclude
successfully, and to give the Constitutional Court of Moçambique time and space to address
the concerns raised by all parties and validate the election results in accordance with its
mandate.

Furthermore, South Africa welcomes the convening of the SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika
Summit and the SADC Extraordinary Summit on 20 November 2024 in Zimbabwe. At these
summits, SADC Heads of State will receive a report on the recent political developments in
the region, including elections in Moçambique, Botswana, and Mauritius. From 15 November
2024, these summits will be preceded by meetings of senior officials and Ministers.