Mozambique is a multiparty democracy that emerged from a long civil war that ended in 1992. Since then, the country has managed to carry out regular elections and has ensured the normal functioning of the electoral bodies. Moreover, the country initiated a de-concentration process of its political and administrative competencies from central power to lower tiers (provinces, districts and municipalities) in order to better serve its people.

In the second phase of Mozambican poverty eradication strategy (PARPA II) the government has a vision on developing a participatory democracy ensuring representation of various interest groups of civil society, such that citizens become the “principal agents in building of a democracy”. To achieve this, the PARPA II stipulates that interventions are needed in the area of legislation and strengthening of local government bodies, to make public institutions more effective in providing services.

Efforts to grant more administrative autonomy to local bodies were rewarded with the entry into force of the of local authorities law in 1997. The following year, first municipal elections took place in 33 cities and villages, the second ones in 2008 in now 43 municipalities. In 2006, for the first time, district governments were awarded budgetary resources for use at their own discretion, in a governmental effort to turn districts into poles of development.

However, translating decentralised, demand focused and demand driven management into reality still presents enormous challenges. Quality and quantity of public services at local level remain poor and Mozambicans face a major lack of scrutiny power over holders of government positions and their activities.

The Swiss Cooperation Strategy recognized the new challenges and opportunities brought about by these developments and regrouped and reshaped its longstanding support to decentralisation, community development and participation as well as rural water and sanitation into a synergetic, reinforced programme for the promotion of local governance with effective community participation and improved service delivery.

Thus, Switzerland continues supporting municipal governments and district authorities in the development of technical and administrative capacities, strengthening of basic democratic practices and the improvement of the social service infrastructure.

Fact sheets:

-          P13

-          LGMI

-          Progoas

-          Decentralised Watsan

-          Aguasan