Voting is underway in Mozambique’s presidential and parliamentary elections in an atmosphere of calm.<br /><br />More than 1000 observers are monitoring the 10 million electors in a poll the ruling Frelimo party is expected to win, although it is being pressed hard by the main opposition Renamo party.<br /><br />The two previously fought a bitter civil war from 1975 to 1992 as South Africa led support for Renamo against the Marxist Frelimo.<br /><br />Frelimo has run the country ever since, and while Mozambique currently enjoys one of Africa’s highest growth rates, the wealth is not being spread evenly.<br /><br />Former defence minister Filipe Nyusi is bidding to replace outgoing president Armando Guebuza who is barred from seeking a third term.<br /><br />Renamo is being led by its historic guerrilla leader Afonso Dhlakama, who only last month ratified a peace deal to end a low-level insurgency and emerged from the jungle to fight the campaign.<br /><br />But both men are watching the rise of a third force, the Mozambique Democratic Movement.
