Daniel Chapo, the candidate from Mozambique’s ruling FRELIMO party, has been announced as the winner of the presidential election held on October 9, despite opposition claims of electoral fraud.
According to the National Election Commission (CNE), Chapo received over 70% of the votes, surpassing the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff. FRELIMO has held power since Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
Venâncio Mondlane, who garnered significant support from young voters and claimed victory for himself, finished second among the four candidates with 20.3%.
The third-place candidate, Ossufo Momade from the opposition RENAMO party, received just over 5% of the vote, as reported by the CNE.
Mondlane, backed by the PODEMOS party, has alleged that the election was marred by fraud and manipulation favoring FRELIMO.
After the results were revealed, Chapo addressed his supporters, condemning the recent killings of two opposition figures and criticizing the opposition’s strikes aimed at protesting what they termed ongoing electoral dishonesty. This week, police used tear gas to break up protests.
Chapo stated, “As the FRELIMO party, we want to once again express our condemnation of the murders of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, along with other citizens affected by these demonstrations.” Dias, an opposition lawyer preparing a legal challenge to the election results, and Guambe, a member of the PODEMOS party, were both killed in a shooting last Saturday.
Chapo, 47, is set to take office as Mozambique’s president in January, making him the first leader born after the country gained independence. He pledged to strive for the betterment of all Mozambicans, regardless of their race, religion, or political affiliation.
Following the announcement of the election results, crowds of Mondlane’s supporters gathered in several cities, including Maputo and Nampula, displaying signs with messages like “Tired of being the slaves of thieves.” Police blocked their access to central Maputo and used tear gas against protesters burning tires and tearing down election posters.
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Protests also occurred on the route from the capital to the South African border, leading to
clashes with police that resulted in multiple injuries and at least one reported death in Nampula. Mondlane has called for further protests via social media since election day.
Local and international observers have criticized the election process, with Mozambique’s Catholic bishops alleging ballot stuffing and EU observers noting irregularities in vote counting and unexplained changes to the results.
Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest nations, is still recovering from a 2016 scandal that exposed $2 billion in hidden government loans. This crisis led to the suspension of financial aid from the IMF and other supporters, severely impacting the economy.
Current President Filipe Nyusi of FRELIMO is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms allowed by law.
