The Judicial Court of Maputo has lifted the suspension of long-standing Renamo member António Muchanga, a critic of party leader Ossufo Momade, ruling that there was no internal process or right to a hearing.
The decision follows a precautionary measure filed by the former deputy against the public announcement on February 10 by Renamo’s Jurisdictional Council. The court concluded that the suspension “shows legally significant defects,” including the “absence of a prior disciplinary procedure.”
In addition to lifting Muchanga’s suspension—he has been a Renamo member since August 1992—the court scheduled a contradictory hearing for April 3 at 09:30 local time.
“Members of the Jurisdictional Council, because they don’t understand, are weak, rudimentary, and simply followed the orders of someone acting as the owner of the party,” Muchanga said after being notified.
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The ruling noted the lack of “right to defense or a hearing,” the absence of a disciplinary regulation outlining procedures and guarantees, the “imposition of an indefinite suspension without statutory support,” and the “apparent incompetence of the body issuing the sanction.”
“These circumstances indicate a high probability of violation of core principles of associative law, including legality, specificity of sanctions, due process, freedom of expression and opinion, as well as the right to defense,” the court added, emphasizing that political parties must meet “higher standards” because “political participation rights with constitutional dignity” are at stake.
Renamo, which lost its status as the main opposition party in the 2024 elections, initially suspended Muchanga on February 10 for allegedly violating party statutes, following his public call for Momade to step down.
On February 7, at a meeting of ex-guerrilla members demanding the president’s removal, Muchanga criticized Momade for a “lack of ideas” and failure to hold regular meetings, urging party unity to remove him from power.
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The court argued that maintaining Muchanga’s suspension would effectively exclude him from party life, preventing him from exercising his membership rights.
Prior to the court ruling, Muchanga was prohibited from representing, speaking for, or acting on behalf of Renamo; using its name, symbol, images, headquarters, structures, or political property; participating in elections; convening meetings; issuing statements; mobilizing members; or using the party’s symbol in any document.
These restrictions have been lifted at least until the April 3 hearing.
