“Mozambique’s presidential election ended with the ruling Frelimo party announcing victory, extending its grip on the country for a fifth consecutive decade. The victory marked the election of Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo to succeed President Filipe Nyusi, who had completed his maximum two-term term.
Frelimo has held power since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975, and the election was widely seen as confirmation of its continued rule. The Electoral Commission said Chapo won 70 percent of the vote, pushing his closest challenger, Venancio Mondlane, backed by the Podemos party, to 20 percent.
The opposition, which displaced the rebel movement and opposition party Renamo into third place, immediately responded by contesting the results and alleging fraud and manipulation in the vote. Violent protests broke out in several cities after the announcement results.
European Union observers have also expressed doubts about the integrity of the electoral process, saying it fell short of international standards due to irregularities during the vote count and unjustified alterations of the results.
The situation has become even more tense, with protests dispersed by police using live ammunition and tear gas. Venancio Mondlane has called for a national strike to protest alleged electoral manipulation, increasing pressure.
The deaths of two politicians, including Podemos lawyer Elvino Dias, an adviser to Mondlane, in Maputo by unknown assailants, have further exacerbated tensions, raising the threat of violence during future protests.
Mondlane has until December to contest the results, while Chapo is scheduled to be officially sworn in in January. These elections, which also included parliamentary and provincial elections, strengthened Frelimo’s political control by obtaining a significant victory in the Assembly of the Republic.
Mozambique is going through a crucial period where political and social issues seem more intertwined than ever. The coming weeks promise to be decisive for the future of the country, between electoral disputes and growing tensions within the population. Only the outcome of these events will reveal the true face of Mozambican democracy.”