Mozambique voter registration for general elections delayed

The Mozambican government on Wednesday evening postponed the voter registration for this year's general elections by a fortnight, in order to facilitate participation by the main opposition party Renamo. The government's spokesperson, the Deputy Justice Minister, Alberto Nkutumula, announced that 75-day registration, which was to begin on Thursday until April 14, will now begin on Feb. 15 and end on April 29. "This was at the express request of Renamo in the context of the dialogue under way between the government and Renamo so that this party may better prepare itself to participate in the 2014 presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections," he said. While, the general secretary of Renamo Manuel Bissopo was cited by the country's newsheet Mediafax as refusing to confirm or deny that Renamo had made such a request. The former rebel movement, who boycotted last November's municipal elections, had threatened to boycott the general polls planned for October 15 this year. Military conflicts has continued between Renamo and the defense and security forces since last year, leaving dozens of deaths and hundreds of residents displaced.