Mozambique’s new President, Daniel Chapo has been sworn -in at a low-key ceremony in the capital, Maputo, more than three months after heavily disputed elections.
Most businesses in Maputo were shut after defeated presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane called for a national strike to protest against Chapo’s inauguration.
Chapo won the election held in October with 65 percent of the vote, extending the 49-year-rule of the Frelimo Party.
Mondlane – who contested the election as an independent – came second with 24 percent of the vote. He rejected the result, saying it was rigged.
Mondlane called for a strike on inauguration day “against the thieves of the people”.
Both of Mozambique’s leading opposition parties – Renamo and MDM – boycotted the swearing-in ceremony because they too do not recognise Chapo as the rightful winner.
Even those in Mozambique who do wish Chapo well openly question his legitimacy.
“Chapo is someone I admire greatly,” civil society activist Mirna Chitsungo tells the BBC.
“I worked with him for four years. I am familiar with his willingness to act, his openness to dialogue, and his readiness to follow recommendations from civil society on the ground.
“However, he is assuming an illegitimate power. This stems from a fraudulent electoral process… He is taking power in a context where the people do not accept him,” Chitsungo added.
In addition to winning over a hostile public, Chapo will also have to deliver the economic turnaround and halt to corruption that he promised on the campaign trail.
Read also: Federal College of Education Ididep announces 2024/2025 admissions
“Chapo will face many enemies because it looks like Mozambique is run by cartels, including cartels of books, cartel of medicines, cartel of sugar, cartel of drugs, cartel of kidnappings, mafia groups,” says analyst and investigative journalist, Luis Nhanchote.
“He needs to have a strong team of experts, willing to join him in this crusade of dismantling the groups meticulously. But first, he has to calm down Mozambicans and do all in his power to restore peace in the country,” he stated.
Mozambicans who say the election was stolen have been protesting for months
Ahead of becoming the ruling Frelimo Party’s presidential candidate, Chapo had been a radio and television host, a legal notary, university lecturer and provincial governor before rising to the post of Frelimo general secretary.
Meanwhile, Mondlane, a part-time pastor who insists he was the true winner of the polls is reported to be sheltering in one of Maputo’s hotels after returning from self-imposed exile.
It is not known what security protection he has there, nor who is paying for it.
Chapo will be the first president of Mozambique who did not fight in the war for independence.
