Daniel Chapo Declared Mozambique’s Next President Amidst Election Dispute

Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo has been declared Mozambique’s next president after winning the contested October elections. The Constitutional Council officially announced Chapo as the victor with 65.17% of the vote, revising the initial post-election figure of 70%.

The Council also confirmed that Venâncio Mondlane, leader of the main opposition party, secured 24.19% of the votes revising the 20.32% initial post-election figure. The revised figures follow weeks of speculation and tension surrounding the election results.

Ahead of the announcement, Mondlane called for a five-day shutdown protest, urging Mozambicans to demonstrate against what he labeled as a “predictable” and “fraudulent” decision. The protests disrupted businesses and transport in several cities, with the opposition claiming irregularities during the voting and counting process.

As Mozambique braces for Chapo’s inauguration, tensions remain high, and the country faces a critical moment in its democratic journey.

The announcement marks a new chapter in Mozambique’s political landscape, but the shadow of the disputed election may linger, influencing the nation’s governance and stability in the coming years.