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. -------------- MOZAMBIQUE BECOMING A ONE-PARTY STATE -------------- ¶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. -------------- GUEBUZA PALES IN COMPARISON TO CHISSANO -------------- ¶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. -------------- RENAMO ONLY VIABLE OPPOSITION PARTY -------------- ¶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. -------------- COMMENT: VYING TO BE AN ELDER STATESMAN -------------- ¶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 MAPUTO 00001344 002 OF 002 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. -------------- BIO NOTE -------------- ¶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