- Mozambique’s new president faces protests amid disputed election
- Chapo, 48, secured 65% of the vote in the election
- Opposition leaders have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the process
- Calls for a nationwide protest during inauguration day
Mozambique’s new president faces protests amid disputed election
Mozambique is bracing for a turbulent transition of power as its president-elect, Daniel Chapo, prepares to be sworn in on Wednesday. The ceremony comes more than three months after a controversial election that has sparked widespread unrest and allegations of fraud.
Chapo, 48, secured 65% of the vote in the election, but opposition leaders and international observers have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the process, claiming the results were manipulated. These accusations have fueled a wave of protests across the country, ranging from peaceful demonstrations to violent clashes that have resulted in fatalities and property damage.
One of Chapo’s most vocal critics is Venâncio Mondlane, his chief rival in the election. Mondlane recently returned to Mozambique after self-imposed exile in South Africa, where he claims to have survived an assassination attempt. He has called for nationwide protests on inauguration day, urging citizens to rise “against the thieves of the people.”
Adding to the tension, Mozambique’s main opposition parties, Renamo and MDM, have announced they will boycott the swearing-in ceremony. Both parties have refused to recognise Chapo as the legitimate winner of the election.
Even among those who support the president-elect, doubts about his legitimacy persist.