Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has urged political parties in Mozambique to respect the results of the October 9, 2024, presidential election. The election outcome, confirmed by Mozambique’s Constitutional Council on December 23, declared FRELIMO’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, the winner with approximately 65% of the vote, slightly lower than the 70% reported by the electoral commission in October.
The Constitutional Council also revised the allocation of parliamentary seats to FRELIMO, though the rationale for these changes was not disclosed.
In a statement issued on December 25, Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of accepting the election results as a cornerstone of the rule of law. He called for political parties and candidates to abide by the Council’s decision, which he described as the final and lawful step in determining the election outcome in accordance with Mozambique’s laws and SADC election guidelines.
While South Africa has proposed dialogue and offered mediation, Mnangagwa underscored the need for other nations to respect Mozambique’s sovereignty and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.
The SADC statement affirmed the organization’s readiness to support Mozambique’s new government and its people in consolidating electoral democracy. It also urged the international community to respect the will of the Mozambican people and contribute constructively to fostering peace and stability in the nation.
The statement highlighted the increasing democratic maturity in the SADC region, noting a record number of national elections over the past two years as evidence of democracy taking deeper roots across southern Africa.