RENAMO LEADER DHLAKAMA DECRIES "ONE-PARTY STATE"

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 001344

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR MZ
SUBJECT: RENAMO LEADER DHLAKAMA DECRIES "ONE-PARTY STATE"


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons 1.4(b) & (d)


1. (C) Summary: In a November 8 meeting with the Charge,
Afonso Dhlakama, leader of opposition party RENAMO, gave his
perspective on the status of democracy in Mozambique. He
expressed concern that the country was becoming a one-party
state as FRELIMO consolidates total control over government
entities. He praised former President Joaquim Chissano's
efforts to maintain dialogue between FRELIMO and RENAMO
during his administration, but said current President Armando
Guebuza refused to speak with him and suggested he was a
potential dictator "worse than Mugabe." He claimed that
RENAMO was the only opposition party capable of competing
with FRELIMO, and that RENAMO represented a moderate,
center-right world view that supported free trade, open
markets, and transparency. He spoke favorably of
U.S.-Mozambican relations. This was Dhlakama's first meeting
with the U.S. Embassy in three years; his polished discourse
gave the impression that he is trying to position himself as
an elder statesman and the country's true democrat. End
Summary.

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MOZAMBIQUE BECOMING A ONE-PARTY STATE
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2. (C) The Charge and Poloffs met with Dhlakama on November
8 at RENAMO headquarters in Maputo at our request. Dhlakama
expressed concern that the country was becoming a one-party
state as FRELIMO consolidates control over all government
bodies. Dhlakama also accused FRELIMO of attempting to
destroy the opposition financially and politically. He gave
numerous examples of public sector workers who were demoted
or fired after being 'exposed' as RENAMO party members. He
also criticized the channeling of central government funds -
"money that all Mozambican taxpayers contribute," - to
FRELIMO-controlled district councils making it appear that
the money is coming directly from the party.

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GUEBUZA PALES IN COMPARISON TO CHISSANO
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3. (C) Dhlakama praised former President Joaquim Chissano's
efforts to maintain dialogue between FRELIMO and RENAMO
during his administration, even during the bitterly contested
presidential elections in 2004. However, he said current
President Armando Guebuza refused to speak with him and
suggested he was a potential dictator "worse than Mugabe,"
going on to say that "if Guebuza had been president of
Mozambique in the 1980's, Mozambique would still be at war"
because of his unwillingness for meaningful dialogue.

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RENAMO ONLY VIABLE OPPOSITION PARTY
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4. (C) Dhlakama listed many international political
organizations in which RENAMO participates, seemingly in an
effort to ascribe legitimacy to his party. He characterized
RENAMO as a moderate, center-right political party of
inclusion that had evolved beyond its roots as a guerrilla
force. He continued that RENAMO now struggles to serve as an
effective opposition, even if FRELIMO largely chose not to
engage. Dhlakama noted that, as all other opposition parties
are extremely weak, RENAMO represented the only viable
alternative to FRELIMO for governance. Clearly playing to
his audience, he added that the RENAMO world view supported
free trade, open markets, and transparency. Dhlakama took
credit for many of Mozambique's current political and
economic successes and positioned himself as an elder
statesman. He noted that many of Africa's great leaders
emerged from military or guerrilla groups. Despite this
background, these leaders were able to participate in the
democratic process, just as he had.

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COMMENT: VYING TO BE AN ELDER STATESMAN
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5. (C) Though this was Dhlakama's first meeting with the
U.S. Embassy in three years, it was clear that his script was
well-rehearsed and had been frequently delivered. He fondly
recalled the strong support he received from many in the U.S.
over the years, including Representative Dan Burton and
Senator Jesse Helms. He expressed deep appreciation for U.S.
assistance in implementing the 1992 peace accord and the
positive state of U.S.- Mozambican relations today. The
Renamo leader did regret the lack of contact with the USG in
recent years, but welcomed any opportunity to work with the

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USG in the future. The Charge explained the Embassy's
interest in meeting with the broad range of political leaders
and supporting a multi-party democracy. While the Embassy
has observed poor political performances by RENAMO, and
despite the fact that many here believe that the party is
very much in decline and disarray, Dhlakama and his party
still represent an active opposition in an environment with
few viable political alternatives. To encourage greater
political dialogue within Mozambique, we intend to broaden
our political engagement with Dhlakama and RENAMO's other
leaders.

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BIO NOTE
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6. (C) Dhlakama was articulate and well-spoken, and appeared
to be in extremely good health. He was dressed in an
expensive suit with shoes polished to perfection and wearing
fashionable eyeglasses. He continually made eye contact with
all in the room, and strove to engage participants in his
conversation. Dhlakama is a name-dropper, noting that he had
met Secretary Rice in 2004, and clearly longs for
international recognition and acceptance. He invited the
Charge for "many more chats." The Dhlakama we met*an
urbane man with graying hair in his mid-50s-hardly matched
the framed portrait in his meeting room of the rebel in his
late-30s. He himself noted the change, stating that he had
traded in his army fatigues for a suit and tie.
Chapman