Mozambique: President Managing Coal and Natural Gas For Political Gains

Mozambique's ruling party, the Liberation Front of Mozambique, or Frelimo, will hold its 10th party congress in the northern city of Pemba from Sept. 23 to Sept. 28. During the congress, Mozambique's incumbent president, Armando Guebuza, likely will secure a third term as Frelimo leader even though the constitution prohibits him from seeking a third term as president.

In Mozambique, the presidency wields nearly unchecked power, so apart from internal party pressure, there is little stopping Guebuza from amending the constitution to allow a third presidential term. However, he is much more likely to use his position within Frelimo to achieve two goals: groom a successor in the lead-up to national elections in 2014 and manage Mozambique's upstart extractive resource industries, which are quickly gaining interest from international companies.