MOZAMBIQUE: PARLIAMENT INAUGURATED; CABINET

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 RENAMO
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