A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Parliament of Mozambique and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Maputo, Mozambique, today.
The MoU is valid for 30 months and establishes the principles and areas of cooperation between the two institutions, namely, among others:
- Strengthening the knowledge and skills of Members of Parliament, Committees and Caucuses
- Strengthening the capacity of the General Secretariat of Parliament, its directorates, organisational units and personnel
- Increased openness and accessibility of the parliamentary activity to citizens
- Strengthening the role of Parliament in promoting gender equality
In addition to formalising the cooperation between the two institutions, the signing of this instrument was an important step towards operationalising support for the Parliament by the “Consolidation of Democracy in Mozambique” Programme, a programme of the Government of Mozambique and the European Union, financed by the European Union, co-financed by the Austrian Development Agency and implemented by International IDEA since April 2018.
A first step in the support of this Programme to the Parliament of Mozambique was the induction of the MPs elected in 2019, and took place in February 2020.
The MoU was signed by the Secretary-General of Parliament, Alfredo Vasco Nogueira Nampete, and by the Head of Mission of International IDEA in Mozambique, Miguel de Brito. The ceremony was witnessed by the First Deputy-Speaker, Hélder Ernesto Injojo, the EU Ambassador, Ambassador António Sanchez-Benedito Gaspar, the representative of the National Authorising Officer, Ambassador Jaime Valente Chissano, and the Austrian Development Cooperation Representative, Hubert Neuwirth.
The event was preceded by an audience given by the Speaker of Parliament, Esperança Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias, to the EU Ambassador, the Austrian Development Cooperation Representative and the Head of Mission of International IDEA. During the meeting impressions were exchanged on the cooperation between Parliament and the three institutions.
More information about this event and about the “Consolidation of Democracy in Mozambique” Programme can be obtained from International IDEA’s Programme Manager in Mozambique, Elísio Muendane: E.Muendane@idea.int / +258 84 753 2572.
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