The Bishops emphasized that election officials have the mission of “ensuring the transparency and independence of all decisions taken, so they must take the expression of the will of the people seriously, avoiding manipulation and disinformation.”
In the document inspired by Psalm 106:3 “Happy are those who observe his precepts and always do what is right”, CEM members welcomed the regular holding of elections, which they said allows the people to actively participate in choosing their leaders.
However, the Bishops said, “the continuous protests and expressions of rejection of the results of these elections clearly show that the culture of transparency and conscious adherence to the democratic process, which respects the opponent, the will of the people and the results published by the competent authorities, remains a dream yet to be realized.”
In the pastoral note signed by CEM President, Archbishop Inácio Saúre, Catholic Bishops in Mozambique drew the attention of the agents and actors in the electoral process, especially the electoral bodies, political parties, candidates, civil society organizations, observers, the media and Mozambicans in general, to the responsibility that rests on them to work to adopt behavior that favors the transparency and independence of all decisions.
To political parties, CEM members recommended the drawing up programs that respond to the real needs of the country and not to the agendas of small elites.
The Bishops also proposed a profile of the candidates, who should be suitable people with an ethical attitude, aware that governing means being at the service of the people and the nation.
CEM members also called on civil society organizations to prepare the electorate to perform their civic duties responsibly. Electoral observers, on their part, are called upon to tell the truth and the media to be objective and transparent in their reporting.
João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.
