Mozambique's Singular Path in Southern Africa's Coalition Governance Landscape

Abstract

This in-depth comparative study explores the complexities of coalition governance in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on Mozambique's remarkable absence of coalition governments. It sets it apart from neighboring countries where coalition experiences and party alliances are firmly established. The tumultuous contestation of the October 2023 municipal election results, marked by allegations of fraud and favoritism, sheds light on critical challenges within Mozambique's electoral system. This contentious episode highlights the need for comprehensive changes in the country's electoral regulatory framework, which is crucial for alignment with regional contexts and cultivating a political environment conducive to joint governance, particularly at the local level. In addition, it requires a re-evaluation, leading to improvements that increase transparency, fairness, and public confidence in the nation's electoral processes, and could bring the country closer to standards of electoral integrity.