US embassy cable - 05MAPUTO146

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000146 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
AF/FO AND AF/S - TREGER 
MCC FOR BRIGGS AND GAULL 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, MZ, Elections 04, RENAMO, National Assembly 
SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE: PARLIAMENT INAUGURATED; CABINET 
ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED SHORTLY 
 
REF: MAPUTO 113 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Not for Internet Distribution. 
 
1. (U) On January 31 the members of Mozambique's new 
parliament, the National Assembly (Assembly), were invested 
for a five-year term in a ceremony presided over by 
outgoing President Chissano. All 250 parliamentarians took 
their seats, including RENAMO-Electoral Union's 90 members, 
who only a month earlier had vowed to boycott the Assembly 
to protest what they claim was massive electoral fraud by 
the ruling party, FRELIMO (refs). FRELIMO holds the 
remaining 160 seats. No changes were made in the top ranks 
of the Assembly; FRELIMO's Eduardo Mulembue and Veronica 
Macamo were re-elected chairperson and first deputy 
chairperson of the Assembly, respectively. This will be 
Mulembue's third five-year term as chair of the Assembly. 
 
2. (SBU) As per a January 26 announcement by President 
Chissano, all ministers, deputy ministers and provincial 
governors were relieved of their duties as of midnight the 
same day. This was the first step in what is expected to 
be a sweeping change of government by president-elect 
Guebuza. Although a source close to Chissano opined the 
transition would be smooth, there are some who predict the 
changeover will be a difficult one. Many observers believe 
Guebuza's replacement of Chissano loyalists with his own 
cadre of supporters will be complicated as long as Chissano 
remains president of the FRELIMO party. (Note: All 
presidential appointees, including cabinet members, must be 
approved by the President of the party. End note.) Post 
expects Guebuza to announce the new cabinet either late 
Wednesday or early Thursday, shortly following his 
Wednesday, February 2 inauguration ceremony. 
 
3. (U) In an attempt to increase nationwide viewing of the 
presidential inauguration, the government has declared 
February 2 a national "day of observance." All Mozambican 
public offices will be closed and Maputo city public 
transportation will be dedicated to inaugural events. 
LA LIME