VZCZCXRO3019
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #0636/01 1911545
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091545Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9081
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0191

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 000636 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO MZ
SUBJECT: U.S. ELECTIONS: MOZ ASKS "WHAT'S IN IT FOR US?" 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  The Charge spoke on July 1 to an audience of 60 
including members of civil society, the diplomatic community, 
several minority party leaders and press about the U.S. 
elections in a panel-debate hosted by the Center for 
Mozambican and International Studies (CEMO).  Audience 
members focused on the possibility of an Obama administration 
and what that meant for Africa in general.  Mozambican 
panelists lauded the U.S. electoral system, particularly for 
its inclusive progressiveness.  Panelists and audience alike 
seemed mesmerized by the idea of a minority U.S. President 
with ties to Africa.  Many in Mozambican civil society are 
concerned about how free and fair their own systems are in 
light of recent election-related irregularities and violence 
in Kenya and Zimbabwe.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U)  On July 1 the Charge spoke to 60 members of civil 
society, academics, diplomatic corps, minority party leaders, 
and press about the U.S. elections in a panel-debate hosted 
by the Center for Mozambican and International Studies 
(CEMO), supported by a PAS grant.  The Charge was joined on 
the panel by Ali Jamal, docent of the Superior Institute of 
International Relations (ISRI), and Salomao Moyana, editor of 
Magazine Independente. 
 
------------------------- 
OBAMA: AFRICA'S CANDIDATE 
------------------------- 
 
¶3. (U)  Jamal reiterated a common local view that due to his 
African-American background, should Senator Obama win in 
November, Africa would reap the dividends both in greater 
U.S. interest and funding.  The Charge reminded the audience 
of the unprecedented support provided by the current 
administration via the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief (PEPFAR), the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), 
and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).  Moyana used 
the example of Obama to further his point that the U.S. 
electoral system is a constantly evolving, inclusive process, 
which developed over time thanks largely to the efforts of 
civil society.  He explained that shortly after independence, 
only white male landowners could vote in U.S. elections, 
while today a minority candidate is in the running.  Jamal 
highlighted the growing influence of minority and economic 
issues, as well as foreign affairs as contributing factors in 
U.S. voter's decision-making criteria come November. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
IMAGINE A MINORITY PRESIDENT, CLOSE ELECTIONS IN MOZ 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶4. (U)  The Charge challenged the audience to imagine a 
similar situation in Mozambique, including a strong electoral 
system in which a minority candidate could win the presidency 
via truly competitive elections.  Panelists and audience 
members alike were visibly amused by this seemingly distant 
possibility.  Moyana agreed that his country needed to work 
towards "more uncertainty" in elections which appear to be 
increasingly dominated by the ruling Frelimo party.  Moyana 
also looked forward to a more mature Mozambican electoral 
system in which voters would some day be more interested in a 
candidate's values than his background. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
AUDIENCE MEMBERS SHOW SYMPTOMS OF OBAMA MANIA 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U)  Audience questions centered largely around Senator 
Obama's chances in November and the U.S. economic and 
security agenda for Africa.  One participant requested that 
the U.S. government "permit" Obama to win.  The Charge 
responded that there is no sense in the U.S. electoral system 
of candidates seeking "permission" to win, as the decision 
rested wholly in the hands of the voters.  In a variety of 
other venues, including the Embassy's 4th of July event, 
poloff noted a common appreciation of Senator Obama, which 
many appear to have adopted as "Africa's Candidate."  Most 
Mozambican interlocutors echo panelist Jamal, believing that 
an Obama administration would significantly increase current 
USG commitments in Africa.  Interestingly, questions about 
Senator McCain are relatively rare, and he seems to remain 
somewhat unknown to Mozambican interlocutors.  One contact 
said he believed a McCain administration would continue 
largely along the same course as the current administration. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
COMMENT: MOZAMBIQUE ELECTIONS: A WORK IN PROGRESS 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) The Charge's participation with panelists and 
audience members at the CEMO event--while focused on the U.S. 
elections--provided an opportunity to gauge Mozambican 
 
MAPUTO 00000636  002 OF 002 
 
 
perspectives on their own electoral system, with upcoming 
municipal elections in November and national elections 
scheduled for late-2009.  Both Jamal and Moyana displayed 
positive perspectives on the U.S. electoral system and echoed 
great popular interest in the current U.S. presidential race. 
 The sense that the political establishment "permits" 
candidates to occupy positions within the government reveals 
the relative lack of power to affect change felt by 
Mozambicans.  Panelists and audience members alike agreed 
that the current system lacks real competition, while some 
expressed concerns that the sanctity and primacy of the 
electoral system may not be a high priority for decision 
makers.  Many in Mozambican civil society are concerned about 
how free and fair their own systems are in light of recent 
election-related irregularities and violence in Kenya and 
Zimbabwe. 
Chapman