Mozambicans to vote on Wednesday

14 October 2014 - 22:15
By Sapa-AP

Mozambique's national elections on Wednesday, October 15, will determine what political party will control gas and coal reserves worth billions.

Analysts expect the ruling Frelimo party to win, although its presidential candidate, Defense Minister Filipe Nyusi, was virtually unknown before campaigning began earlier this year. This is Mozambique's most closely contested election since independence in 1975.

Opposition is coming from former civil war rebel Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the National Resistance Movement and from a new party, the Mozambique Democratic Movement, which is appealing to young Mozambicans.

The country on Africa's south eastern coast has seen recent clashes but Mozambique has remained largely peaceful ahead of the vote.