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Mozambican Civil Society Within: Evaluation, Challenges, Opportunities and Action 3.2.1.2 Political Competition The indicators seek to assess the quality of political competition in terms of the existence of a democratic system, diversity across the ideologicalspectrum, the institutionalisation and public credibility of parties, and the level of patronage practices. In principle, the current legal system in Mozambique permits the creation of a multi-party system. In the third general multi-party elections in December 2004, 25 parties competed for parliamentary seats and there were eight presidential candidates (Hanlon and Nuvunga, 2004). However, the role of the political parties is rarely felt outside the election period. In practice, a two-party system predominates with the Frelimo party in power and the RENAMO party the main opposition party. With the exception of some municipalities, Mozambique has never experienced alternating parties. However, perhaps an even greater concern is the big challenge of growing and widespread abstention. Abstention is becoming the big challenge and test for political parties, irrespective of whether they are in power or in opposition. Over the years, abstention has got worse. In 2004 it reached around 70% or even higher in some parts of the country. The recent electoral registration process was also marked by the spectre of absenteeism, to the extent that it forced the majority political parties to agree on delaying the first provincial elections. As regards political patronage various sources, both academic and journalistic, talk about evidence of favouritism associated with party affiliation, especially the party in power (CEP 2001, 2003, Afrobarometer, 2003, 2005). 3.2.1.3 Rule of Law Over the years various research sources have revealed little confidence in the way laws are managed. In 2001 a national public opinion survey called attention to ignorance about some state bodies or institutions such as the Supreme Court and trade unions. It also spoke of lack of confidence in the political system because citizens’ rights are still not properly respected (CEP 2001). In various studies the police appear as the entity that the citizen trusts the least. This was the case in the 2001 CEP study. At that time people trusted most the President of the Republic, the National Election Commission and religious organizations (CEP, 2001). More recently, the 2005 UTRESP study on governance and corruption also pointed to a lack of trust in police and justice bodies. As regards “observance of the law”, the results of the 2006 Governance Index (World Bank, 2007) show that Mozambique’s performance is around 34%, compared with 67% in Botswana for example. (Figure 3.2.2). 15 15 The governability index study evaluates degrees of accordance or not with such aspects of conduct as: breaking the law in general; tax evasion; traffic offences, bribing a policeman; and stealing private property. 48 Civil Society Index, Mozambique 2007
Mozambican Civil Society Within: Evaluation, Challenges, Opportunities and Action Figure 3.2.2: Governability Index, Mozambique and Botswana, 2006 Voice and Accountability Politcal Stability Government Effectiveness Regulatory Quality Rule of Law Control of corruption 0 25 50 75 100 Country’s Percentile Rank (0-100) http: / info.worldbank.org 3.2.1.4 Corruption As regards corruption, the available studies show that the public perception of corruption is very high and could even threaten the survival of the foundations of a democratic society (USAID, 2005, UTRESP, 2005). Returning to the chart on the World Bank (2007) Governance Index, whereas control over corruption in Mozambique is estimated to be 35%, in Botswana it is 78%. Various other international sources, from Transparency International to the recently created Ibrahim Index, also show Mozambique with indicators well below 50% for respect for the law, transparency and controlling corruption. It is true that various other countries are much worse than Mozambique. But the worst examples should not be a source of complacency with bad quality, and the distance between Mozambican standards and those of other better classified African countries should be reason for concern and reflection. 3.2.1.5 Effectiveness of the State This indicator covers the workings of the state bureaucracy. It received a score of 1.0 indicating that the capacity of the state bureaucracy is very limited. The score is based on national and international sources. Civil Society Index, Mozambique 2007 49
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