Lichinga Municipal Council denies MDM march due to presidential visit

The Lichinga Municipal Council has denied a request by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) to hold a march on August 28, 2026. The council cited a conflict with a scheduled presidential visit to the city as the reason for the decision, stating that the overlap could cause confusion.

The MDM had planned the march to celebrate the party’s Revolution Day, intended to proceed through the city's main thoroughfares. In an official note, the council's acting president suggested the party propose a new date for the demonstration.

The decision has sparked legal debate regarding the right to freedom of assembly in Mozambique. While the council treated the event as a request requiring authorization, legal experts note that Article 51 of the Constitution and Law No. 9/91 require only prior communication to authorities rather than formal permission.