Rights
2004 Constitution with a Conselho Constitucional and decentralisation since 2018
The 2004 Constitution, amended in 2018, establishes a semi-presidential system and vests constitutional review in the Conselho Constitucional rather than a court within the ordinary hierarchy. The 2018 amendments introduced elected provincial governors as part of the peace process with Renamo.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Conselho Constitucional reviews constitutionality and validates elections; the Tribunal Supremo heads the ordinary courts.
Governing law
- Constituição da República de Moçambique 2004revised 2018
- Lei do Conselho ConstitucionalLei 6/06
In practice
The Conselho Constitucional is modelled on the French Conseil constitutionnel rather than on a supreme court with constitutional jurisdiction, and it also validates election results — which has made it a central institution in every disputed Mozambican election, including 2024.