VOA慢速英语2019 莫桑比克选举公正自由和平?（在线收听）

Free, Fair, Peaceful Election for Mozambique?

An escalating rebel movement, attacks on political campaigners and a frightened population have people worrying about Mozambique’s elections.

不断升级的反政府运动、针对政治活动家的攻击以及恐慌的民众让人们对莫桑比克的选举十分担忧。

The voting takes place this Tuesday, October 15.

投票将于本周二的10月15日举行。

The vote appears to be a simple competition between Frelimo, Mozambique’s long-time ruling party, and the opposition Renamo party. But experts say it is much more complex than that.

这次选举似乎是莫桑比克长期执政党莫桑比克解放阵线党和反对党“全国抵抗运动”之间的简单竞争。但专家表示，实际情况却复杂得多。

In fact, some observers predict the elections will lack two important qualities: fairness and peace.

事实上，一些观察人士预测，这次选举将缺乏两个重要的因素：公正与和平。

"It’s not going to be free and fair," said Jasmine Opperman. She heads the Africa office of the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium.

贾丝明·奥普曼(Jasmine Opperman)说，“这场选举没有自由和公平可言”。她是恐怖主义研究与分析联盟非洲办事处的负责人。

"There are simply too many indicators going against…democracy and the standard of democracy," she said.

她说:“有太多与民主和民主标准背道而驰的指标。

Observers question whether the voting will bring what the southern African nation badly needs: peace after many years of conflict between the government and armed members of the opposition.

观察人士质疑这次投票是否能带来这个南部非洲国家急需的东西：政府和反对派武装成员多年冲突后的和平。

President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade signed a peace agreement earlier this year. However, human rights experts say they suspect the peace deal will not last.

总统菲利佩·纽西和“全国抵抗运动”领导人Ossufo Momade今年早些时候签署了和平协议。然而，人权专家表示，他们怀疑和平协议不会持久。

A deadly rebellion is growing in the country’s north. Hundreds of people have been killed during the election campaign. And, Human Rights Watch researcher Zenaida Machado notes her group has seen many reports of political violence.

一场致命的叛乱正在该国北部蔓延。数百人在选举活动中被杀害。人权观察的研究人员Zenaida Machado指出，她所在的组织已经看到很多关于政治暴力的报道。

“These elections, we can safely say…(will) be the most violent the country has ever had," she said.

她说:“我们可以肯定地说，这次选举将是这个国家有史以来最暴力的一次选举。”

Jasmine Opperman says the rebellion in the north will make it almost impossible for that area to have a problem-free vote."To even talk, to even think about elections in this area is a joke," she said. "It is not, simply, going to happen. People are living in fear, for those who have been to Cabo Delgado, for those who have spoken and done interviews with the locals, you can taste the fear."

贾丝明·奥普曼表示，北部叛乱将使该地区不可能进行无问题的投票。她说:“在这样一个地区，甚至谈论、思考选举都成为一个笑话。”“简单地说，这种事情不会发生。人们生活在恐惧中，对于那些去过德尔加多港的人来说，对于那些与当地人交谈过的人来说，他们的恐惧你可以感同身受。”

Observers also predict the Frelimo party will do anything to keep power it has held since 1975.

观察人士还预测，莫桑比克解放阵线党将不惜一切代价保住1975年以来一直大权在握的地位。

The party had its worst showing in local elections last year. It received just 51 percent of the vote.

该党在去年的地方选举中表现最差。只获得了51%的选票。

"For the first time in 40 years since independence, Frelimo faces the real risk of losing," Machado said.

马沙多说：“莫桑比克解放阵线党独立40年来第一次面临真正的失败风险。”

But Opperman says she fears a worse outcome. Renamo has repeatedly accused Frelimo of using government money to finance its campaign and of changing lists of voters.

但奥普曼表示，她担心会出现更糟糕的结果。“全国抵抗运动”一再指控莫桑比克解放阵线党利用政府资金资助其竞选活动和操纵选民名单。

"There is no way that they’re going to let go of power," she said. "And I think we must be clear on that."

“他们不可能放弃权力，”她说。“我觉得，我们必须清楚这一点。”

Words in This Story

escalating – adj. increasing, growing or rising

indicator – n. a sign that shows the condition or existence of something

standard – n. a level of quality; a measure or model used for comparison

interview – n. a meeting of people face-to-face or by telephone

outcome – n. results or effects