PONTA D'OURO – As Mozambique navigates a critical phase of its democratic consolidation, peace and national reconciliation fostering trust and cross-party consensus is essential for the success of the Inclusive National Dialogue. To ensure that potential electoral reforms are rooted in evidence and mutual understanding, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International IDEA are supporting the Technical Commission for the Materialization of the Inclusive National Dialogue (COTE) in bringing together key political stakeholders to forge a shared vision for the country's electoral framework.

It is within this strategic context that senior leaders from nine political parties’ signatory to the Political Commitment to the Inclusive National Dialogue convened in Ponta do Ouro, from July 31 to August 1, 2026, to strengthen the analytical capacity and technical knowledge on key electoral governance and electoral reform issues, thereby contributing to more informed dialogue and consensus-building.  The initiative equipped 24 political representatives (five women and 19 men) with solid technical expertise using the internationally recognized BRIDGE methodology - Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections. 

Constructive and evidence-based discussions

By delving into the electoral cycle, legal frameworks, voter registration, and results management, senior political leaders from FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front), RENAMO (Mozambican National Resistance), PODEMOS (Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique), MDM (Democratic Movement of Mozambique), RD (Democratic Revolution), PAHUMO (Humanitarian Party of Mozambique), PARENA (National Reconciliation Party), PARESO (Social Renewal Party), and ND (New Democracy) engaged in constructive and evidence-based discussions. In his closing remarks, Alberto Ferreira, Vice-President of COTE, stated that "the presence of senior members from the signatory parties represents a reaffirmation of the political commitment to a constructive dialogue."

Participants acknowledged the gender disparity among the attendees, including within COTE’s own composition, and called for greater gender mainstreaming in the public consultation sessions. Nevertheless, this critical reflection was met with deep appreciation for the training’s constructive environment, which was reflected in the final evaluation: 77% of those present rated the content as very good, while 78% awarded the same rating to the facilitators, with one participant noting that “the workshop served as a vital neutral platform to strengthen political dialogue and build confidence among competing political actors.”

Beyond technical skills, the initiative helped build mutual respect and constructive dialogue among political actors. Recognizing this value, participants called for ongoing training in key areas such as electoral oversight, conflict management, and reconciliation, stressing the constant need to empower political actors to strengthen Mozambique’s democracy.

In this context, UNDP reaffirms its readiness as an impartial and reliable partner to support inclusive governance processes, contributing to Inclusive National Dialogue for a more transparent, inclusive, and peaceful electoral framework for all Mozambicans.

This initiative was made possible through the generous support of Mozambique’s electoral technical assistance partners, namely Canada, the European Union, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom, reaffirming the joint commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and inclusive dialogue in Mozambique.