Mozambique's upcoming elections

Jose Domingos Manuel, seems certain of a victory. His cap boasts the party logo and his t-shirt an image of the MDM's top candidate Daviz Simango. The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) is only five years old, but it is aiming high. "Simango is the right man to lead this country," says MDM board member Domingos Manuel.

The MDM won a surprise victory in the 2013 local elections. They beat the powerful ruling FRELIMO in four major towns. Domingos Manuel thinks that the party has proven its ability to rule at least at a local level.

In the upcoming elections on Wednesday, October 15, MDM is seeking representation in Mozambique's parliament and its party leader is running for president. The people have had enough of the traditional parties, thinks Domingos Manuel. MDM's campaign slogan is: "Forget the old parties. They just want money and power".

RENAMO: Playing with fire

The old parties are FRELIMO, which has ruled the country since independence, and RENAMO, the former civil war rebels.

In 2013, RENAMO boycotted local elections, arguing that the ruling FRELIMO party had breached the peace deal that ended Mozambique's 16-year-long civil war in 1992. RENAMO and its 61-year-old leader Alfonso Dhlakama, retreated back to the bush and into hiding. They threatened to take up arms again and rekindle the brutal war between the two political factions. Dhlakama only recently reemerged from hiding. He signed a new peace agreement with the government, paving the way for elections.

The saber rattling appears not to have damaged Dhlakama's reputation. On the contrary, the rebel-leader-turned-politician has only become more popular. He once again has aura of a fighter, who could perhaps terminate FRELIMO's 40-year-long rule. "I was in the bush, near Mount Gorongosa, for two years, resisting FRELIMO's bomb attacks," Dhlakama told DW. "My supporters know that I only wanted one thing, to force FRELIMO to practice good governance."

Many foreign investors and members of Mozambique's economic elite, are wary of Dhlakama. They take his threats to push the country back into civil war seriously. The country's business sector has close ties to FRELIMO. Army officers often have stakes in major businesses like the coal industry and other mineral sectors.

Guebuza steps down

Mozambique's President Armando Guebuza is not seeking re-election. Having completed two terms in office, he is barred from a third and he now plans to devote his time to his business activties. He is one of the country's richest men and has interests in energy, banking and the construction sectors amongst others.

Mozambique's defense minister, Filipe Nyusi is FRELIMO's new hopeful for the presidency. Campaigners are doing their best to promote the 55 year-old, whois a rather nondescript candidate. For FRELIMO , he however represents the younger generation. He is not of the old guard, who fought for Mozambique's independence from Portugal.

Anything except outright victory in the first round of elections would be a setback for FRELIMO. The opposition partiesare very confident about their chances of success. One Dhlakama supporter even compares his favorite candidate to the Messiah. He hopes that Dhlakama will win the elections on October 15, but most of all, he hopes that the elections will be fair and peaceful.