355. Financial constraints are cited as an excuse for the short period allotted to oversight functions. The decision on the amount of funds to be allocated to the General Assembly is the responsibility of the Executive. In this respect, MPs, both from FRELIMO and RENAMO, have on many occasions complained that the government is not paying enough attention to the General Assembly in the context of the state budget. 18 For a country with a huge problem of corruption and weak accountability mechanisms, it is undesirable that the General Assembly should be constrained from doing its oversight functions for lack of financial resources. Another constraint on the effectiveness of the General Assembly is its newness as a democratic institution (Box 3.5). Box 3.5: The General Assembly’s Lack of Legislative Traditions 19 As a new democratic institution, the General Assembly in Mozambique is lacking in traditions, cohesion and self-confidence. Members lack experience in legislative drafting, which constrains their ability to shape Executive Bills. They do not have legislative assistants to carry out research on their behalf and are unable to analyse policy proposals independently with a view to improving on them. They also lack any experience of the legislative autonomy of the Executive. The majority of the laws passed in the General Assembly come from the Executive. 356. The work of the General Assembly is further undermined by a lack of technical capacity: “The General Assembly is lacking technical capacity to adequately and in a reasonable time deal with the legislative initiative submitted by the Executive. There is a dire need for qualified technical staff and technical training of the majority of the MPs.” 20 357. The CRM was informed that budget estimates are passed almost exactly as presented, because the General Assembly is informed that the budget structure is set by the funds available and limited by what donors will fund. As the country is heavily dependent on donor funding, this serves as a constraint on the ability of the General Assembly to engage the Executive on budget priorities. Donors, on the other hand, would prefer greater accountability and their support should not be the excuse for disabling the General Assembly in this way. 358. Widespread concerns are expressed about the wealth and standard of living of members of the General Assembly standing in sharp contrast to the poverty of the general population. Thus, the members of the General Assembly have an “image problem” with the public: they are seen to be leading opulent lifestyles and being insensitive to the general suffering of the masses. Constituency clinics are held infrequently, thereby further undermining public 18 The weekly newspaper O País, 29 December 2006. 19 Field notes, Mozambique, 7 February to 2 March 2009. 20 Plano Estratégico da Assembleia da República 2004–08, adopted by Resolution No. 16/2003, 31 December 2003. Published by BR No. 53, I Série. 130 A P R M COU N T RY R EV IEW R EP ORT NO. 11