Mozambique faces challenges beyond elections

Significance Preparations for the polls have faced multiple difficulties and there are widespread expectations that the outcomes may be a product of manipulation, as the ruling Frelimo party’s popularity is crumbling but its desire to retain power remains firm. Impacts Exxon and TotalEnergies should restart their respective gas projects after the elections. The economy will improve but not fast enough to compensate for population growth and rising debt repayments. Despite media commentaries to the contrary, Renamo may perform reasonably well in parliamentary elections. Insurgents in Cabo Delgado may regroup after a pre-election military offensive that prompted them to disperse fades.