Inclusive National Dialogue: UNDP supports COTE’s technical consolidation for potential electoral reforms in Mozambique

August 5, 2026

Lead BRIDGE facilitator Felisberto Naife explaining how the methodology works and who it is intended for

UNDP Mozambique/Idrisse Rubane

MAPUTO – As Mozambique advances the Inclusive National Dialogue, strengthening the technical capacity of national institutions has become essential to transforming public debate into credible and sustainable reforms. Through its long-standing support for democratic governance, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with international partners, is assisting the Technical Commission for the Materialization of the Inclusive National Dialogue (COTE) in deepening the expertise needed to develop consistent, evidence-based electoral reform proposals.

It is within this context of institutional strengthening that, on the eve of the public hearings phase, UNDP and International IDEA promoted a new capacity-building initiative under the internationally recognized methodology known as BRIDGE – Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections. Held from June 2 to 5 in Maputo, the event brought together 17 members of COTE's Electoral and Constitutional Affairs Working Groups, alongside representatives of electoral management bodies. This gathering continued the training cycle initiated in March 2026, which previously encompassed 25 technical staff members.

More than a mere training exercise, UNDP's support aims to equip the Mozambican State with concrete tools to align future proposals with international best practices. During the opening session, the President of COTE, Prof. Dr. Edson Macuácua, stressed that the materialization of electoral reform requires solid technical preparation. He cautioned that only highly qualified personnel can ensure that future legislative proposals respond to the challenges identified during public consultations, thereby reinforcing citizens' trust in democratic institutions.

Transforming dialogue into effective legislative proposals

Lead BRIDGE facilitator Felisberto Naife explained that the program was structured around modules covering 1) electoral administration, 2) legal frameworks, 3) electoral systems, and 4) dispute resolution. As he detailed, the sessions enabled the analysis of different reform scenarios in light of the contributions already collected throughout the Inclusive National Dialogue process.

The relevance of translating theory into practical outcomes was highlighted by the participants. António Salomão Chipanga, Deputy Coordinator of the COTE Electoral Affairs Working Group, asserted that the initiative occurred at the exact right moment to prepare the conversion of popular aspirations into technically sound legislative proposals. This work, he emphasized, is a decisive step toward strengthening the electoral system and contributing to peace and stability in the country.

Group of people in a meeting room; a man stands and speaks to others around a round table.

Photo of a man in a white shirt holding two documents beside a UNDP banner and a projector screen.

Group of professionals around a round table with yellow name placards in a conference room.

People seated at a conference table with yellow name placards and water bottles; central man speaks.

Conference room with attendees at tables; projection screen shows a man raising his hand.

Woman in an orange hijab and black outfit holds cash while two men watch in a room.

Photograph: man in blue suit hands a rectangular item to a smiling woman in a white top at a table.

Similarly, Lara Dias, member of the COTE Electoral Affairs Working Group, underscored that a mastery of comparative law empowers COTE members to intervene more knowledgeably in the drafting of laws. She advocated for the future expansion of such programs to include Members of Parliament, political parties, and civil society organizations. This vision was shared by Pedro Faela, member of the COTE Constitutional Affairs Working Group, who maintained that standardizing concepts and jointly debating institutional challenges are crucial factors for the improvement of future electoral processes.

With this results-centered approach, UNDP reaffirms its readiness as an impartial and reliable partner to support inclusive governance processes, contributing to National Dialogue for a more transparent, inclusive, and peaceful electoral framework for all Mozambicans.
The event was made possible through the support of Mozambique’s electoral technical assistance partners, namely Canada, Germany, the European Union, Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom, as well as the core contributors to International IDEA and UNDP.