On Thursday, Mozambique’s electoral commission announced that the ruling party, Frelimo, had emerged victorious in the country’s disputed elections, reinforcing its nearly five-decade hold on power. The party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, will assume the presidency, succeeding Filipe Nyusi, who is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms. Frelimo has governed Mozambique since its independence from Portugal in 1975, and many anticipated the party would retain control in this election.
According to official figures, Chapo won with 70% of the vote, far ahead of his closest rival, Venancio Mondlane, who secured 20% of the vote as a candidate for the opposition Podemos party. Mondlane’s performance displaced the traditional opposition party, Renamo, whose candidate finished in third place.
However, the results have sparked widespread controversy and unrest. Election observers, including representatives from the European Union, raised serious concerns about the integrity of the process, citing “irregularities during counting and unjustified alteration of election results.” Opposition parties have echoed these concerns, with allegations of vote rigging leading to public outrage and protests across several towns.
Also, read; Zimbabwe Sets New T20 World Record in Dominant Victory Over Gambia
On Monday, Podemos called for a nationwide demonstration to protest the alleged fraud, which was met with a forceful response from law enforcement. Police reportedly used live rounds and tear gas to disperse protesters. Despite the crackdown, Mondlane has urged his supporters to continue their resistance, calling for another nationwide strike on Thursday and Friday to press for a thorough investigation.
Tensions in Mozambique have been further strained following the deaths of two prominent political figures last week. Among those killed was Elvino Dias, a lawyer for Podemos and an advisor to Mondlane, who was gunned down in Maputo by unidentified assailants. The incident has heightened fears of escalating violence as the country navigates this turbulent post-election period.
While Chapo is set to be sworn in as president in January, Mondlane has until December to formally contest the results. In addition to the presidential race, Mozambique held legislative and provincial elections on October 9, in which Frelimo also claimed a majority, securing significant control over the Assembly of the Republic.
As the situation unfolds, the possibility of further unrest looms, with opposition supporters demanding transparency and accountability. The disputed elections have cast a shadow over Mozambique’s political landscape, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the country’s path forwar
