English translation of an article first published on 15 June 2025. The analysis and proposed timetable reflect the context at that date. Read the Portuguese original.
The implementation of the Political Commitment to an Inclusive National Dialogue, approved by Law No. 1/2025 with a 24-month implementation period, poses significant challenges for Mozambique’s political and legislative timetable. Although the proposed plan appears technically feasible, the country’s institutional arrangements, particularly those of the Assembly of the Republic, require careful consideration.
Mozambique’s Parliament holds two ordinary sessions each year: the first from February to May, and the second from October to December. The first session of 2025 has already closed. Most political and legislative activities planned before October will therefore have to take place outside the ordinary session, with a risk of delays or additional costs if extraordinary sessions are required.
The establishment of the Technical Commission and the subsequent appointment of specialist consultants are expected over the coming months, during the parliamentary recess. The next stage, establishing working groups and drawing up their terms of reference, will coincide with the opening of Parliament’s second ordinary session in October. More structured discussions of the Commitment’s main themes are also expected to begin during that period.
The agenda is broad and complex. It includes constitutional reform, the justice system, electoral administration, defence and security, public administration, fiscal policy, natural resource management, national reconciliation and economic inclusion. Each area requires technical consideration and political coordination and, in several cases, legislative change.
Parliament has a decisive role, but its own working arrangements impose constraints. Proposals to amend the Constitution, electoral legislation and public administration legislation, among others, will have to be considered and approved by the Assembly of the Republic. To meet the proposed timetable, with the process concluding by April 2027, these proposals will need to be ready, coordinated and supported by political agreement by the end of 2026, during that year’s second ordinary session.
The approaching electoral cycle adds to the pressure. Municipal elections are due in 2028, followed by general elections, including presidential and parliamentary elections, in 2029. Electoral reform must be completed early enough to allow implementation with legitimacy, certainty and predictability. This means adopting a new Electoral Law by early 2027 at the latest, which requires faster debate and approval during 2026.
Parliament therefore faces an operational choice. It must organise its programme carefully to accommodate the expected volume of legislation, or risk undermining the Political Commitment through delays in implementation. Without a clear strategy for managing the legislative timetable, extraordinary sessions will become unavoidable, with the associated costs and political tensions.
The Assembly of the Republic should also monitor implementation, exercise oversight and help the process move forward. One option would be a Parliamentary Monitoring Commission that could operate during recesses and connect the technical work with the plenary. Parliament should take an active part in building agreement and identifying obstacles before they delay the process.
The task is to turn a formal timetable into political action. It calls for institutional commitment, cooperation between parties and careful management of time and priorities. Where political processes do not always follow statutory deadlines, the Assembly of the Republic will need to demonstrate that it can meet the demands of the reform programme.
Proposed timetable
| Stage | Estimated timeframe | Proposed date |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment of the Technical Commission | By the end of June 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
| Appointment of consultants | July 2025 | 31 July 2025 |
| Establishment of working groups | August to September 2025 | 30 September 2025 |
| Validation of terms of reference | October to November 2025 | 30 November 2025 |
| Working group activities | December 2025 to October 2026 | 31 October 2026 |
| Discussion and consolidation of proposals | November to December 2026 | 15 December 2026 |
| Submission to the leadership | December 2026 | 22 December 2026 |
| Submission to Parliament | February 2027 | 28 February 2027 |
| Final approval by the Assembly | March to April 2027 | 30 April 2027 |
Egidio G. Vaz Raposo