Renamo today announced the expulsion of veteran party leader António Muchanga, a decision taken by the National Council, which met in Maputo, as part of disciplinary proceedings relating to alleged violations of the party’s statutes.
“We follow the rules,” and if someone is not complying with the institution’s policies, the institution “reserves the right to expel them. That is what the National Council did at its third ordinary session,” said Marcial Macome, spokesperson for the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo).
He was speaking on the final day of the National Council session, the historic Mozambican opposition party’s decision-making body between congresses, which met amid strong internal opposition to the leadership of Ossufo Momade.
The decision comes amid criticism of Renamo’s current leadership, led for several months by former guerrillas and veteran party figures, including António Muchanga, who has publicly called for Ossufo Momade to step down as party president, as has a group of former guerrillas challenging his leadership.
According to Marcial Macome, the expulsion was approved by a majority of voting members among the approximately 200 participants in the National Council.
“The view of some council members is that measures need to be applied to prevent such behaviour from recurring in the future, and that party members should always strive for cohesion and unity rather than creating further divisions,” he said.
The Renamo spokesperson added that ongoing court cases involving party members do not prevent the party from applying internal disciplinary measures.
“He will present his arguments, but that does not mean the party must remain inactive on matters of internal discipline,” he said.
Renamo also stressed that the decision against António Muchanga does not automatically extend to other members associated with the internal protest movement.
“Actions are collective, but responsibility is individual; each person will answer for their actions according to their seriousness,” Marcial Macome added.
At the opening of the National Council, Ossufo Momade acknowledged internal tensions and called for a return to the organisation’s principles to strengthen unity and internal cohesion, but did not comment on his own future despite the opposition to his leadership.
Among the issues under discussion at the meeting is the setting of a date for the next National Congress, which is expected to decide on the succession in Renamo’s leadership.
For months, former guerrillas have been demanding Ossufo Momade’s resignation, accusing him of mismanaging the party, failing to pay pensions and allowances, and being unable to respond to the current internal crisis.
The presidential candidate backed by Renamo in the 2024 general elections, Ossufo Momade received 6% of the vote, the worst-ever result for a candidate supported by the party, which also lost its status as the main opposition force.
