/ 13 October 1999

FEWER ELECTION CANDIDATES FOR MOZ

A MOZAMBIQUAN Supreme Court has rejected two presidential candidates for alleged failure to present all the necessary documentation. The two are Wehia Ripua, leader of the Mozambican Opposition Union, and Joaquim Nyota of the recently established Democratic and Liberal Party of Mozambique. Ripua claims that he had presented all the necessary papers and that the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front is behind the rejection. Only three candidates will run for the presidency, compared to 11 who contested the 1994 elections. The court has until Friday to confirm the candidatures for the December 3 and 4 poll.