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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter

President Mnangagwa — in his capacity as the Sadc Chairperson on the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation — has urged Mozambicans to remain calm while results of their recently held elections are being compiled and validated.

The President said this in a statement yesterday following the presidential, legislative and provincial elections held in Mozambique on October 15.

“Sadc reiterates its call to stakeholders to remain calm while the results continue to be compiled for the final validation and proclamation by the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Mozambique,” President Mnangagwa said.

“Sadc further encourages contesting political parties and other stakeholders to observe the spirit of the Peace and the National Reconciliation Agreement of 6th August, 2019 and maintain peace and stability which is important not only for the Republic of Mozambique, but also for the entire Sadc region.”

President Mnangagwa urged contesting parties to resolve their disputes through legal mechanisms provided by the law.

“In the event of electoral disputes, Sadc further urges all political parties to report to relevant legal mechanisms for the settlement of electoral disputes, including the District Judicial Courts and the Constitutional Courts and appeals to judicial institutions to determine electoral disputes within established timelines,” he said.

President Mnangagwa deployed the Sadc Elections Observer Mission to Mozambique led by Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and the team released its preliminary statement on October 17.

“Sadc issued a preliminary statement on October 17, 2019 and commended the people of Mozambique for exercising their democratic right to vote and for their peaceful and orderly conduct in the immediate pre-election period,” said President Mnangagwa.

“The SEOM continues with the post-election phase observations and its final report for the 15th October 2019, Presidential, Legislative and Provincial Elections will be issued after concluding the post-election observation.”