Daniel Chapo was declared the winner of Mozambique’s presidential election on Thursday, a process marked by violence and allegations of fraud against his party, Frelimo, which has governed the country for nearly five decades.
The electoral commission announced that Mr. Chapo secured nearly 71 percent of the vote in the election held on October 9. He will succeed Filipe Nyusi, who has reached his term limit of two five-year terms.
The announcement occurred amid significant turmoil in Mozambique, which has been grappling with a prolonged insurgency by Islamist extremists in the northern coastal region of Cabo Delgado. This conflict has intensified the divide between those who benefit from the nation’s natural resources, such as natural gas and precious stones, and those facing widespread poverty and unemployment.
On Monday, police clashed with thousands of protesters in the capital, Maputo, using tear gas and live ammunition. Demonstrators accused the ruling party of election rigging and of being responsible for the fatal shooting of two supporters of Mr. Chapo’s main competitor.
Frelimo has denied any involvement in fraud or the killings. A party spokeswoman stated that Frelimo believes the election results reflect the will of the people.
This election and the surrounding protests represent one of the most significant challenges to Frelimo’s authority since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and navigated a subsequent civil war.
Analysts indicate that public discontent is at an all-time high, with many citizens expressing frustration over deteriorating economic conditions and increasing inequality. Observers noted that the median age in Mozambique is just 17, and the nation’s youth, particularly affected by economic hardship, are increasingly questioning the legitimacy of the ruling party.
Mr. Mondlane, the opposition candidate who finished second, has gained considerable support from young voters, promoting the idea that the government should serve the people. He has called for peaceful protests following the election.
The recent fatal shootings of Mr. Mondlane’s lawyer and a senior party official have raised further concerns. The current president urged the public not to escalate tensions following these events.
The international community has expressed concern regarding the election process. An observer mission from the European Union reported irregularities during vote counting and noted that their observers were barred from witnessing the counting in certain areas.
Mozambique’s Catholic bishops also condemned the election, highlighting that over half of registered voters did not participate as a sign of distrust in the electoral system. They reiterated claims of significant fraud occurring during the election.