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Dhlakama: Mozambique’s comeback kid rides election wave

Dhlakama, 61, is arguably the best-known of the three presidential candidates, having run in all four presidential polls since the end of the civil war in 1992.

Mozambique Democratic Movement candidate Daviz Simango, the mayor of Beira, has also run for the presidency before.

The candidate for the ruling Frelimo party, former defence minister Felipe Nyusi, is probably the least-known politically.

Despite his relative obscurity, Nyusi is widely expected to win as Frelimo has been in power since Mozambique won independence from Portugal in 1975.

The incumbent, Armando Guebuza, is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms.

But far from being punished for his role in the low-level but deadly insurgency in central Mozambique that included ambushes on civilian cars by suspected Renamo supporters, Dhlakama’s image may have received a boost in some quarters.

Not since Mozambique’s iconic first president and Frelimo leader, Samora Machel, has anyone managed to mobilise such crowds, according to Francisco.

“Many young people see him expressing an attitude they are scared (to express),” he said.
“He has no t-shirts (to hand out) no music, he has nothing,” but still manages to attract crowds. “This is very interesting.”

– Welcomed as the messiah –

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Dhlakama is presenting himself less as a naysayer than in his previous campaigns, appearing relaxed and exuding a conciliatory tone towards his political foes.

He has even promised that, if elected he would offer Frelimo some cabinet posts.

Among his campaign pledges, Dhlakama is telling residents of coal-rich areas he will ensure they benefit from resources being extracted under their feet.

“It is a concrete, relevant, positive message,” said political analyst Joseph Hanlon. That is “an attitudinal change that will make him more attractive to voters.”

Whether the mass numbers at rallies will translate into votes is far from certain.

Most observers say there is a strong element of “curiosity” driving attendance.

Many are desperate to see Dhlakama in the flesh after long months during which he was rumoured to be dead.

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