Mozambique’s ruling party, Frelimo, has secured a contentious victory in the recent elections, reinforcing its 49-year hold on power in the nation. Official results reveal that Daniel Chapo, the party’s relatively unknown presidential candidate, will take over from Filipe Nyusi, who has completed two terms.
At 47, Chapo, who garnered an impressive 71% of the vote, becomes the first president born after Mozambique’s independence in 1975. His closest rival, Venancio Mondlane, received 20% of the votes.
In his victory address, Chapo stated, “We remained silent all this time, for respecting the law. We are an organised party that prepares its victories.”
However, the election has sparked violent protests across various towns, resulting in multiple fatalities and a significant police presence in affected areas. Allegations of electoral fraud and the targeting of opposition supporters have marred the electoral process, leading to widespread unrest.
Zimbabwe’s president, before the official announcement of results, congratulated Chapo on his “resounding victory,” raising eyebrows due to the ongoing controversy.
Ossufo Momade, leader of the former rebel group Renamo—previously the main opposition—finished third with only 6% of the votes. Political analyst Tomas Viera Mario noted that Momade failed to engage younger voters, which contributed to Renamo’s diminished influence in the election.
The election results shocked many, including members of Frelimo, particularly given the scale of the victory. Fernando Mazanga, deputy chairperson of the electoral commission appointed by Renamo, criticized the results, stating they “are against electoral justice” and do not reflect the true situation.
The electoral commission reported that 43% of over 17 million registered voters participated in the election, which coincided with parliamentary and provincial elections. Frelimo secured 195 out of 250 parliamentary seats, while the opposition parties, Podemos and Renamo, obtained 31 and 20 seats, respectively.
Following the results, President Nyusi expressed triumph in a televised address, stating, “With more than 70% of the votes, I don’t see any teacher failing a student.”
The implications of this election are significant for Mozambique, a country grappling with economic challenges, corruption, and widespread poverty. In response to the election results, Mondlane has called for nationwide protests and has framed the violence against his party members as politically motivated.
Mondlane has until December to contest the election results. His recent nationwide demonstrations faced police intervention, escalating tensions in the wake of the electoral outcome.
The elections have drawn criticism from EU observers, who indicated potential discrepancies and irregularities in the vote-counting process, suggesting some results may have been manipulated.
Political analyst Adriano Nuvunga condemned the recurring pattern of electoral fraud in Mozambique, highlighting a troubling trend that undermines the democratic process. Meanwhile, the electoral commission has remained silent on the allegations of vote-rigging.
Chapo is scheduled to be inaugurated into office in January, as the political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty and escalating unrest.
