The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has appealed for calm in Mozambique following the Constitutional Council’s decision to uphold the results of the October 9 presidential election.
Mozambique’s highest court confirmed Daniel Chapo of the ruling FRELIMO party as the election winner, revising the final tally to 65% of the vote for Chapo and 24% for opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, supported by PODEMOS. The ruling sparked protests across the country, leaving at least 151 people dead, according to civil society organizations.
SADC Calls for Respect for Rule of Law
SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa described the court’s decision as the completion of Mozambique’s legal electoral process. “This ruling exhausts all lawful avenues for contesting the election outcome and aligns with both Mozambique’s laws and SADC’s democratic principles,” Mnangagwa said.
He urged all political players and citizens to respect the court’s verdict, emphasizing its importance for restoring stability. Mnangagwa also called on the international community to honor Mozambique’s sovereignty and contribute constructively to peace efforts in the country.
Protests and Opposition Defiance
Protests erupted nationwide after opposition leader Mondlane alleged electoral fraud, claiming his victory had been stolen. Mondlane, currently in exile, has vowed to hold a parallel inauguration on January 15—the same day Chapo is set to be sworn in as Mozambique’s fifth president.
Despite the unrest, Mnangagwa reaffirmed SADC’s readiness to support Mozambique in consolidating its democracy. “The rule of law must prevail, and the will of the people must be respected,” he stated.
A Regional Spotlight on Democracy
Mnangagwa also highlighted the significant number of elections held across SADC member states in recent years, describing them as a testament to the region’s commitment to democracy.
SADC’s member nations include Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.