Mozambique: Church proposes national reforms for peace, inclusion, and good governance – Vatican News

Report on the Political Guide for National Dialogue in Mozambique

The Episcopal Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church in Mozambique has issued a “Political Guide for National Dialogue.” This document presents a strategic framework for national reform aimed at strengthening democracy, social justice, and lasting peace. The proposals are explicitly aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), by advocating for more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

State Reforms and Institutional Integrity (SDG 16)

To enhance the integrity and accountability of state institutions, the guide proposes reforms directly supporting the targets of SDG 16. The key recommendations include:

• Limiting the appointment powers of the President of the Republic concerning heads of sovereign bodies to foster institutional independence.
• Implementing a system where judges are elected by their peers to strengthen judicial autonomy.
• Eliminating the position of Secretary of State in provinces, which is identified as redundant and a financial burden on the state budget.

Electoral System Reforms for Democratic Governance (SDG 16)

The document addresses the need for transparent and trustworthy electoral processes, a cornerstone of SDG 16.7 (Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making). Proposed reforms are:

1. The depoliticization of the National Electoral Commission (CNE) and the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE).
2. The adoption of electronic voting systems to reduce the potential for fraud.
3. The selection of Polling Station Members based on merit, honesty, and responsibility.
4. The enforcement of severe punishments for the manipulation of electoral results to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.

Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SDGs 1, 6, 7, 10, 16)

The guide highlights significant challenges in natural resource management and proposes measures that align with multiple SDGs. The objective is to ensure that resource wealth contributes to sustainable and equitable development.

• Policy and Governance (SDG 16): Define natural resources as strategic assets governed by stable, consensus-based policies. Strengthen oversight institutions to combat corruption and enhance transparency.
• Equitable Distribution (SDGs 1, 10): End unnecessary tax incentives and ensure the fair redistribution of revenues to combat poverty and reduce inequality.
• Community Development (SDGs 6, 7, 9): Utilize revenues to improve the living conditions of local communities by providing access to essential services such as clean water (SDG 6), electricity (SDG 7), and roads (SDG 9).

Promoting Economic Inclusion and Decent Work (SDGs 1, 4, 5, 8, 10)

To address economic disparities, the Church advocates for policies that foster inclusive growth and provide opportunities for all citizens. These proposals directly support several key SDGs:

• Empower youth and women in income-generating activities, contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Provide formal support for the informal sector, a critical component of the national economy.
• Enhance access to vocational education and technical training, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• Facilitate easier access to credit to stimulate entrepreneurship.

These measures are designed to reduce poverty (SDG 1) and increase participation in the benefits of economic growth, thereby reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

Reconciliation and National Unity for Lasting Peace (SDG 16)

Recognizing that past conflicts continue to affect the nation, the guide emphasizes reconciliation as fundamental to achieving the peaceful and inclusive societies envisioned in SDG 16. The proposed actions include:

• Building a collective memory based on truth, forgiveness, and mutual listening.
• Promoting a national culture of dialogue and trust to overcome political exclusion.
• Revising and rigorously monitoring the Technical Committee for National Dialogue to ensure sincerity and honesty in its proceedings.

Dissemination and Civic Engagement

The Episcopal Justice and Peace Commission concludes with an exhortation for widespread civic engagement. The report calls for the guide to be used as an educational tool across all parishes and communities to empower citizens. The objective is to ensure active and informed participation in the national dialogue process, thereby reinforcing the participatory principles central to the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering a new era of peace and fraternity in Mozambique.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire “Political Guide for National Dialogue” focuses on reforming the state, the electoral system, and promoting national reconciliation. It directly addresses the need for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, reducing corruption, ensuring the rule of law, and building a peaceful society after conflicts.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The article highlights the need for economic inclusion and fair redistribution of revenues from natural resources. It explicitly mentions addressing inequalities by empowering youth and women and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared by everyone, particularly local communities affected by resource extraction.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   The section on “Economic Inclusion” directly relates to this goal by advocating for policies that support income generation for youth and women, strengthening the informal sector, and promoting vocational education and technical training to improve employment opportunities.

4. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   This goal is specifically addressed in the “Economic Inclusion” section, which calls for “strengthening policies that empower youth and women in income generation,” aiming to reduce economic disparities based on gender.

5. SDG 1: No Poverty

   The article connects economic inclusion and fair resource management directly to poverty reduction. It states that measures like supporting income generation and redistributing revenues can “reduce poverty and increase everyone’s participation in the benefits of economic growth.”

6. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation & SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   These goals are mentioned in the context of natural resource management. The article proposes that revenues from resources should be used to improve the living conditions of local communities, including providing “access to water, roads, and electricity.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice. This is reflected in the proposal for judges to be “elected among their peers” and the call for “severe punishments for cases of result manipulation” in elections.
   • Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption. The article points to “corruption” as a serious challenge in managing natural resources and calls for strengthening oversight.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions. This is a central theme, addressed by proposals to limit presidential powers, depoliticize the National Electoral Commission (CNE), and end the “lack of transparency” in natural resource management.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making. The entire guide is a tool to “prepare citizens and Christian communities to actively participate in the inclusive national dialogue process.”

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all. The section on “Economic Inclusion” directly advocates for this by proposing policies to empower youth and women and support the informal sector.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. This is addressed by the call to “fairly redistributing revenues to improve the living conditions of local communities.”

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote policies that support decent job creation and entrepreneurship. This is evident in the call for “supporting the informal sector, vocational education, easier access to credit, and technical training programmes.”
   • Target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The article specifically calls for “strengthening policies that empower youth… in income generation” and promoting “vocational education” and “technical training.”

4. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in economic life. This is directly supported by the proposal to strengthen “policies that empower… women in income generation.”

5. SDG 6 & 7: Water and Energy

   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. The article mentions improving “access to water” for local communities.
   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article mentions improving “access to… electricity” for local communities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several qualitative and quantitative measures for progress:

• For SDG 16:
  • The level of politicization within the National Electoral Commission (CNE) and STAE.
  • The number of electoral fraud cases successfully prosecuted.
  • Public trust levels in the electoral system and state institutions.
  • The implementation of reforms limiting presidential appointment powers.
  • The degree of active citizen participation in the national dialogue process, which the Church intends to monitor through its diocesan committees.
• For SDGs 1, 8, and 10:
  • The percentage of natural resource revenue allocated to local community development.
  • The number of youth and women accessing credit and technical training programs.
  • Changes in income levels within local communities and among marginalized groups.
  • The growth rate of the formalized informal sector.
• For SDGs 6 and 7:
  • The percentage of the population in resource-rich local communities with access to clean water and electricity.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary Table

Source: vaticannews.va