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Mozambique Votes in a Crucial Test of Recent Peace Deal

Associated Press

   MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE - Calls for calm and warnings against voter
   intimidation marked a closely watched election day in Mozambique on
   Tuesday that is crucial in consolidating a wary peace in the southern
   African nation of nearly 30 million people.

   Parties' acceptance of the presidential, parliamentary and provincial
   vote results is a key test of the ceasefire signed in August between
   the government and opposition Renamo rebels after years of skirmishes
   following a 15-year civil war that killed an estimated 1 million
   people.

   The ruling Frelimo party, which has governed since Mozambique's
   independence from Portugal in 1975, is expected to be returned to
   power. President Filipe Nyusi is expected to win a second term in a
   vote where insecurity and political tensions might keep some people
   from the polls.

   Nyusi after voting urged Mozambicans to avoid violence and maintain
   "total serenity, total calm" -- a week after police acknowledged that
   several suspects in the murder of prominent local election observer
   Anastacio Matavel were police officers, leading to condemnation from
   some international vote observer groups.
   

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