Tentative Steps towards Multi-Partyism in Mozambique

Abstract

Based on a range of documentary sources and in-depth interviews, this article focuses on the changing fortunes of Mozambique's political parties following democratization. On the one hand, most seem firmly committed to the new multi-party system, whilst the prospect of a resumption of general armed hostilities has become increasingly remote. On the other hand, there are few clear policy differentials between the major parties. Indeed, the bulk of political contestation concerns access to patronage and material resources rather than matters of principle.

Human resource management practice and institutional constraints The case of Mozambique

“…The ending of the cold war, and of apartheid in South Africa, led to a peace settlement, with Mozambique's first democratic elections being held in 1994. Frelimo won both this and subsequent elections, but Renamo performed credibly well; this has contributed to the emergence of a relatively stable multi-party political context (Wood and Haines, 1998). At the same time, the government was forced to adopt the structural adjustment policies favoured by transnational financial institutions led by the IMF (Hanlon, 1996).…”

“…On the other hand, this growth has been highly lop-sided, centring on imports, transport and distribution, at the expense of much of manufacturing (as well as the peripheral northern regions). Mozambique remains heavily dependent on foreign financial assistance, and has had to contend with industrial decline, the reduction in basic social services, and the proliferation of corruption through most areas of social life (Pitcher, 2002;Hanlon, 1996;Wood and Haines, 1998). Corruption and limitations in capacity has resulted in the enforcement of legal regulations governing employment contracts, and health and safety, being weak and uneven (see Hanlon, 1996;Pitcher, 2002).…”