Ossufo Momade announces he will not seek re-election as Renamo leader

Ossufo Momade, the leader of Mozambique’s Renamo party, has announced that he will not seek re-election for the party presidency. Making the statement in Maputo during a meeting to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the 1992 General Peace Agreement, Momade emphasized that he intends to step down through democratic processes rather than force.

Momade stated, “I will not, I will not. Did you hear me well? Now no one can wage war saying ‘let’s remove Ossufo, let’s remove Ossufo’. It is nothing like that. I will not run for candidacy, I will let others also compete, to win within the congress.” He further clarified that the party does not support seizing power by force, asserting that anyone wishing to run for leadership should be allowed to do so provided they meet the necessary requirements.

While a specific date for his departure has not been set, the party's next congress and potential leadership transition are currently projected for 2028. The Renamo National Council is scheduled to meet on October 21 and 22 to discuss party organization and the possibility of an extraordinary congress. Momade has faced internal criticism regarding party management and transparency since taking leadership following the death of Afonso Dhlakama in 2018.