Chapo was announced as the winner after securing 65% of the total votes cast, while his closest competitor, Venancio Mondlane, garnered only 20% of the vote.
Mozambique's Daniel Chapo Sworn In as President Amid Unrest
Mozambique officially swore in Daniel Chapo as president on Wednesday after months of post-election violence, which, according to an NGO, has resulted in more than 300 deaths. Chapo, 48, pledged to dedicate himself to defending, promoting, and consolidating national unity as he continues the Frelimo party’s five-decade rule over the resource-rich African nation.
Opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane has alleged that the October election was manipulated. The streets of Maputo, the nation’s capital, appeared deserted as shops remained closed, either as a form of protest or out of fear of further violence, as Chapo began his five-year presidential term. Protests have gripped Mozambique since October 21, when the electoral commission declared Chapo the winner of the elections.
Lucia Ribeiro, head of the Constitutional Council, administered Chapo’s presidential oath of office. The council had validated the election results on December 23. Chapo, a former governor of Inhambane province, has no prior experience in government positions but is a trained lawyer and former broadcaster. Leading opposition groups, including the Mozambique National Resistance Movement and the Mozambique Democratic Movement, boycotted the inauguration ceremony.
According to the council, Chapo secured 65% of the votes, while his main opponent, Mondlane, received only 20%. On Monday, the new parliament of 250 lawmakers was inaugurated amid violent protests that allegedly resulted in the deaths of six people, reportedly at the hands of police.
Mondlane had previously called for a national strike in protest of the election results, urging citizens to stage daily demonstrations against the government. He returned to Mozambique last week after a period of self-imposed exile in South Africa, declaring his intention to assume the presidency. His lawyer has confirmed that Mondlane’s travel documents have been confiscated.
The unrest has caused widespread looting, disruption of cross-border trade, and significant destruction of public infrastructure. Election monitoring group Plataforma Decide reports that the ongoing violence has claimed 300 lives and displaced thousands, forcing many to seek refuge in neighboring countries.