Constitutional amendments welcomed

Although Mozambique's constitution this week underwent a major face-lift, observers were divided over whether the changes would deepen democracy in the once troubled southern African nation. Parliament on Tuesday approved a series of amendments to the constitution for the first time since the advent of multiparty politics in 1992. Analysts have welcomed some of the revisions, but pointed out that the additions had not changed the "complexion" of the original 1990 constitution. "The ongoing debate is whether this is a new constitution or one that has been heavily revised. Much of the fundamental laws, including the political system, remain unchanged. The rights and duties of institutions are also the same. So, while some of the changes are welcome, like elevating press freedom to a constitutional principle, the amendments do not radically alter the way the country is run," Paul Fauvet, a senior editor at the Mozambican news agency, AIM, told IRIN. Fauvet pointed out that these changes were much more modest than the proposals in 1999 aimed at overhauling the whole structure of government. "If earlier recommendations were followed through, one would have seen a greater limitation of presidential powers and increased power of the country's parliament," he explained. Under the previous revisions to the constitution, the President of the Republic was both head of state and head of government, with complete freedom to appoint whomever he/she chose as ministers, deputy ministers, provincial governors and secretaries of state. However, the latest constitutional changes declare that the head of state will no longer be immune from prosecution and introduce the possibility of impeachment "for crimes practiced in the exercise of his duties". Parliament will now need a two-thirds majority to impeach the President. Joao Porto, head of the African Security Analysis programme at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, noted that the introduction of an impeachment process in Mozambique signalled "to some extent" a commitment to tackling potential corruption "at the highest level". In recent years Mozambique has earned the respect of the international community for its commitment to fiscal discipline, but the government continues to struggle against corruption. According to another analyst, the adoption of a new national anthem signalled a maturing democracy. "Previously, the national anthem was the same as Frelimo's [the ruling party], but the adoption of an independent anthem symbolises a break between the party in power and the state. This is significant for improving democracy," Ana Leao, a senior ISS researcher told IRIN. The new constitution also provides for setting up provincial assemblies in each of the 10 provinces, signalling greater decentralisation of power. The constitution is expected to come into force after general elections on the 1-2 December. President Joaquim Chissano is not seeking re-election.