Mozambique’s President-Elect, Daniel Chapo, has announced plans for a national reconciliation dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s ongoing political crisis and rebuilding investor confidence. The unrest follows violent protests that erupted after the contentious October 9 elections.
On Monday, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council declared Chapo the election winner with 65% of the vote, sparking renewed unrest in several regions. Dozens of lives have already been lost in the conflict. Chapo, a 47-year-old lawyer and former provincial governor, is scheduled to take office on January 15.
In an interview after his victory was confirmed, Chapo unveiled his initiative for dialogue, which seeks to bring together political leaders, civil society, and communities to address grievances, foster trust, and promote understanding.
The unrest has severely impacted the nation’s economy, disrupting operations at Mozambique’s largest port, halting mining activities, and threatening further delays to a $20 billion natural-gas export project led by TotalEnergies SE. Standard Bank Group’s local unit has warned of an imminent economic contraction, further straining government finances.
Protests have intensified, with demonstrators torching governing party offices and blocking roads with burning tires. Social media videos showed buildings, including government offices and banks, engulfed in flames. The opposition leader, Venâncio Mondlane, has fueled the unrest from abroad, calling for intensified demonstrations and countrywide work stoppages this week. Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, has rejected the election results as fraudulent.
Chapo has dismissed suggestions of forming a unity government with the opposition, stating he would consult his party, Frelimo, which has held power since Mozambique’s independence 49 years ago. Mondlane, on the other hand, has indicated a willingness to consider a unity government but ruled out taking a position under Frelimo’s administration.
The elections have drawn criticism from local and international observers, who reported irregularities, including ballot-box stuffing and result manipulation. Although the Constitutional Council acknowledged these issues, it ruled they did not affect the overall outcome. The U.S. State Department described the process as “flawed.”
Despite the challenges, Chapo emphasized his commitment to restoring peace and stabilizing the economy. He reassured investors of Mozambique’s potential, vowing policy and legal stability for multinational projects, including those in the natural gas sector.
“Mozambique remains a land of immense opportunity,” Chapo said, pointing to his experience working with international companies. “It is very important to maintain the integrity of contracts and uphold our laws.”
Chapo’s leadership begins under the shadow of unrest, economic strain, and the need to bridge deep political divisions. His ability to deliver on these promises will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.