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PoliticsMozambique

Mozambique: Daniel Chapo inaugurated after disputed election

January 15, 2025

The main opposition leader has promised to "paralyze" the country ahead of Daniel Chapo's swearing-in. The October 9 election results have been questioned by international observers.

https://p.dw.com/p/4p9H8
Daniel Chapo (R) takes oath of office to be sworn in as the President of Mozambique during his inauguration at Independence Square in Maputo on January 15, 2025
Chapo's disputed election to the presidecy has been marred by violence against protestersImage: Phill Magakoe/AFP

Daniel Chapo took his oath of office on Wednesday, becoming Mozambique's new president, amid calls from the country's main opposition to continue protesting against the election result.

Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who returned from self-imposed exile less than a week ago, promised to "paralyze” the country ahead of Chapo's inauguration.

Mozambican opposition leader Mondlane returns from exile

'We'll protest every single day' — Mondlane

"This regime does not want peace," said Mondlane in an address on Facebook Tuesday, adding that members of his team were met with bullets on the streets this week.

"We'll protest every single day. If it means paralyzing the country for the entire term, we will paralyze it for the entire term," Mondlane said.

Electoral monitoring group Plataforma DECIDE said over 300 people had been killed in unrest since the October 9 polls.

Mozambicans flee to Malawi over postelection violence

International observers have said the election was marred by irregularities, while the EU mission "noted irregularities during counting of votes and unjustified alteration of election results."

Chapo met with protest and recognition in Africa

Civil society organizations, led by the Pan-African Lawyers Union, have also submitted a petition demanding that the African Union not recognize Chapo as president.

Despite this, the presidents of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo confirmed their attendance at the inauguration in Maputo.

The South African Presidency's X account posted pictures of Ramaphosa's arrival in Maputo and said the inauguration "provides an opportunity for all the people of Moçambique to work together towards peace, democracy and development." 

Chapo on Monday, called for stability and told journalists "we can continue to work and together, united... to develop our country."

kb/ab (AFP, Lusa)