In Mozambique, a Rigged Election Risks Opening Pandora's Box

The ballots from Mozambique's Oct. 15 general election are still being tallied. But all evidence so far points to another sizable victory for the Mozambique Liberation Front, commonly referred to as Frelimo. Such an outcome was expected, given that the ruling party's dominance over the country's political and economic systems since the mid-1970s. Indeed, despite the introduction of multiparty democracy decades ago, Frelimo continues to reign over the country -- much to the chagrin of the militant Mozambique National Resistance Movement (Renamo).  Despite Maputo's recent peace deal with Renamo, mounting evidence of electoral misconduct indicate the Frelimo government is still waging a covert war against its chief political rival. In response, Renamo could send its fighters back to battle in Mozambique's central regions, which would risk distracting Maputo from a much greater threat brewing up north. ...