Mozambique’s newly elected president, Daniel Chapo, was sworn into office on Wednesday, marking the culmination of a tense electoral period. However, the ceremony took place amid deadly unrest sparked by accusations of electoral fraud, as opposition leader Venancio Mondlane vowed to disrupt the country with continued protests against the disputed election results.
Mondlane, a prominent figure with strong support among the youth, has repeatedly claimed that the October 9 elections were rigged in favor of Chapo’s Frelimo party, which has ruled the gas-rich nation since its independence in 1975. Despite official results showing Chapo with a 65% victory, Mondlane asserts that he won 53% of the vote, accusing Mozambique’s electoral institutions of manipulation.
Ahead of the inauguration, Mondlane called for a national strike and threatened to escalate his campaign with daily demonstrations aimed at paralyzing the country. In a fiery address on Facebook, he denounced the government, stating: “This regime does not want peace,” and vowed to protest “every single day,” even if it meant stalling the country for the entire duration of Chapo’s term.
Chapo, in his first public remarks following his swearing-in, called for unity and national stability. In a brief address to journalists at the national assembly, he emphasized that the nation must come together to work towards development and prosperity. His calls for peace contrast with the growing dissent, with Mondlane and his supporters insisting that the electoral process was far from transparent.
International observers have weighed in on the election’s credibility, with reports citing irregularities and a lack of transparency. The European Union’s election monitoring mission condemned what it referred to as the “unjustified alteration of election results,” further adding to the controversy surrounding Chapo’s victory.
Diplomatic support for Chapo’s administration has been tepid, with a notable absence of foreign dignitaries at the inauguration ceremony. While Portugal, Mozambique’s former colonial power, sent Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, other African leaders—including South Africa’s president—opted not to attend. Political analyst Johann Smith interpreted this as a strong message of reluctance from the international community to fully recognize Chapo’s leadership.
The political instability, which has already claimed the lives of hundreds since the election, is expected to continue to challenge Chapo’s administration. At least six people were reported killed in clashes in the Inhambane and Zambezia regions, while ongoing protests have led to widespread fatalities. Security forces have been accused of using excessive force to suppress demonstrations, with reports of police casualties as well.
Despite the mounting tension, Chapo is set to announce his new government this week, and some experts suggest that he may seek to ease the unrest by offering positions to opposition figures within his cabinet. However, calls for dialogue have been complicated by Mondlane’s exclusion from initial talks between Chapo and outgoing President Filipe Nyusi. Chapo has pledged to include Mondlane in future negotiations, but the opposition leader remains adamant that the election was unfair.
Mondlane, who had fled abroad following the October 19 assassination of his lawyer, returned to Mozambique last week and reiterated his readiness to engage in dialogue. “I’m here in the flesh to say that if you want to negotiate… I’m here,” he declared.
Chapo’s victory in the presidential race, coupled with Frelimo’s overwhelming dominance in the national assembly with 171 of the 250 seats, has placed him in a strong position to govern. However, the continued protests and political uncertainty pose significant challenges for the new administration as it navigates a divided and tense political landscape.