STORY: ELECTION LOCATION: MOZAMBIQUE DATE: 28 OCTOBER 1994 DURATION: 1.08 Renamo's Dhlakama ends boycott Renamo opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama voted on Friday (28/10) in Mozambique's first multi-party elections after ending a poll boycott that sent shockwaves through southern Africa. Dhlakama grinned and joked with aides as he voted in the grimy Polana secondary school in the capital Maputo. The former rebel leader refused to comment on his sudden about face after announcing early Thursday (27/10) that his former rebel party would boycott the elections. Mozambicans and African leaders had feared the Renamo boycott could lead to a renewal of the devastating 16-year civil war which ended with a peace accord between Renamo and President Joaquim Chissano's ruling Frelimo party two years ago. In order to coax Dhlakama and his Mozambique National Resistance back into the election, the National Election Commission with the support of the United Nations announced Friday afternoon (28/10) that voting would be held on a third day Saturday (29/10). Chissano welcomed Dhlakama's decision. "This is what all of us wanted," he said after a meeting with South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. "This is a successful outcome of the efforts made by all of us, the international community and particularly President (Nelson) Mandela and Vice President Mbeki." The commission estimated that more than half the country's 6.4 million registered voters cast their ballots on Thursday. SHOWS: (MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE 28/10) WS polling station. Woman waiting to vote. Dhlakama at presser. Dhlakama talking. CA journalists. SOT U.N. envoy Anjello: "We have assured Mr Dhlakama that the international community is here to monitor the elections. We'll do the job properly, we'll make sure that all the rules are respected and that elections are free and fair." Dhlakama voting and pull out. South African Vice-President Thabo Mbeki and Mozambican president Chissano outside presidential residence. SOT Chissano: "This is what we all wanted that's what I am describing as a successful outcome of the efforts made by all of us." CU ballot paper torn from book. Rear-view of U.N. monitors in voting venue. Man completing voting procedure. Man voting. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e3e0312c13884b22304d4bad5c60c58f Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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