Mozambique’s new President, Daniel Chapo, 47, was inaugurated on Wednesday, January 15, in a sparsely attended ceremony in Maputo boycotted by the opposition and many SADC heads of state.
His presidency begins amidst a climate of deep political division following the October 9, 2024 elections marred by violence.
A local civil society group, Plataforma Decide, reports over 300 deaths in post-election clashes with security forces.
The inauguration day itself saw further bloodshed; Dr Wilker Dias of Plataforma Decide told <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7en1452xjo">BBC</a> that eight protesters, primarily supporters of defeated presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, were killed by police during demonstrations against Chapo’s ascension.
Mondlane, who secured 24% of the vote against Chapo’s 65%, rejected the election results, alleging rigging, and called for a national strike.
This call, coupled with the boycotts by Renamo and MDM, Mozambique’s leading opposition parties, contributed to the low-key atmosphere of the inauguration, with Maputo largely deserted and businesses closed due to the declared public holiday.
In his inaugural address to approximately 2,500 guests, Chapo pledged to prioritize national unity and human rights, stating, “together, we will restore patriotism and pride in being Mozambican.”
However, this commitment was immediately challenged as police dispersed crowds outside Independence Square with gunfire following the ceremony.
Chapo’s victory extends FRELIMO’s rule to 49 years. The new president, who took over from Filipe Nyusi, faces a significant challenge in uniting a nation deeply fractured by violence and allegations of electoral fraud.
Daniel Francisco Chapo was born on January 6, 1977, in Inhaminga, a town in Sofala province, the sixth of ten siblings.
Chapo’s early life was shaped by Mozambique’s civil war, which forced his family to relocate to a nearby district.
Chapo graduated with a Law degree from the Faculty of Law of Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo in 2000. He later completed a Conservator and Notary course in 2004 and a master’s degree in Development Management from the Catholic University of Mozambique in 2014.
In addition to his academic achievements, Chapo had a diverse professional background. He taught Constitutional Law and Political Science, worked as an announcer at Rádio Miramar in Beira, and was appointed conservator for the Nacala-Porto district in 2005.
He later served as the administrator of the Palma district in Cabo Delgado province in 2015 and was appointed governor of Inhambane province in 2016.
Now married to Gueta Sulemane Chapo, with whom he has three children, Chapo is described by colleagues as a humble, hardworking, and patient leader. He is also known to be a devout Christian and a fan of basketball and football.
Chapo’s rise to the presidency is significant, as he is the first “born-free” President of Mozambique, having been born two years after the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Daniel Chapo, 47, became Mozambique's first "born-free" President. His inauguration was marked by political divisions and violence. There were protests and boycotts by opposition parties after the election. Chapo promised to prioritize unity and human rights. He faces the challenge of uniting a fractured nation. He was born in 1977 in Inhaminga and has a law degree. Chapo is described as humble and hardworking, a Christian who loves basketball and football. His presidency is historic as he is the first President born after Mozambique's independence.

Daniel Chapo Sworn In As Mozambique's First "Born Free" President

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) presidential candidate Daniel Francisco Chapo is set to visit Zimbabwe to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa on July 20 ahead of his country’s elections in October this year.
Chapo (47) was nominated to succeed sitting President Filipe Nyusi, who has reached the constitutional limit of two terms.
ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200028444/frelimo-candidate-visits-ed-ahead-of-moza-polls">NewsDay</a> that Chapo’s visit is a courtesy call “as he seeks wisdom from elders”. He said:
<blockquote>
He is visiting all former liberation movements in southern Africa. He will be meeting President Mnangagwa. There is now so much in Zimbabwe that it is attracting attention.
With Manhize (steelmaking company) now in full swing, the port of Beira will be busy. Since 1965 under the (Ian) Smith regime, the UDI [Unilateral Declaration of Independence], Beira has never had an economic lifeline such as the hinterland of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) because it collapsed due to sanctions.
Our export route has been Durban, some kilometres away. Now with the developments by the President — steel, lithium and the general economic revival of Zimbabwe, there is a new vitality in the Zimbabwean economy and the shortest route is through Beira and we want to restore its glory.
</blockquote>
FRELIMO has governed Mozambique since the country attained independence from Mozambique in 1975. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
We are sister parties with FRELIMO, so he (Chapo) is coming to learn. He needs to tap into the wisdom and historical experience of the liberation movements and the struggle against apartheid and racism.
We are going to share notes on how best Africa can put its foot forward to change the geo-political environment.
</blockquote>
Chapo became the first “born free” FRELIMO presidential candidate, as he was born two years after Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
He graduated in Law from the Faculty of Law of Eduardo Mondlane University, in Maputo, in 2000.
Chapo took the Conservator and Notary course in 2004 and ten years later completed a master’s degree in Development Management from the Catholic University of Mozambique.
He also taught Constitutional Law and Political Science, worked as an announcer at Rádio Miramar, in the city of Beira, and was appointed conservator for the Nacala-Porto district in 2005.
In November 2015 he assumed the role of administrator of the district of Palma, in the province of Cabo Delegado, and in March 2016 he was appointed governor of the province of Inhambane.
Mozambique will hold its seventh presidential and parliamentary elections on October 9, the second for provincial governors and the fourth for provincial assemblies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

FRELIMO Presidential Candidate, Daniel Chapo, To Visit Mnangagwa Ahead Of Mozambican Elections

Mozambique’s ruling party, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) has elected Daniel Francisco Chapo, governor of the province of Inhambane, as the party’s presidential candidate in the general elections on 09 October 2024, reported by the <a href="https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-frelimo-chooses-daniel-chapo-to-run-for-president-257817/">Club of Mozambique</a>.
Chapo was elected by 225 out of the 254-member FRELIMO Central Committee, as stated in the final communiqué of the meeting.
Chapo (47), will replace FRELIMO leader, Filipe Nyusi, who is also the President Of Mozambique. Nyusi can no longer run for office in these elections, as he has reached the constitutional limit of two terms.
He becomes the first “born free” FRELIMO presidential candidate, as he was born two years after Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
<h2>Who is Daniel Francisco Chapo?</h2>
According to the Club of Mozambique, Chapo was born in Inhaminga, Sofala province, central Mozambique, on January 6, 1977.
Chapo graduated in Law from the Faculty of Law of Eduardo Mondlane University, in Maputo, in 2000.
He took the Conservator and Notary course in 2004 and ten years later completed a master’s degree in Development Management from the Catholic University of Mozambique.
He also taught Constitutional Law and Political Science, worked as an announcer at Rádio Miramar, in the city of Beira, and was appointed conservator for the Nacala-Porto district in 2005.
In November 2015 he assumed the role of administrator of the district of Palma, in the province of Cabo Delegado, and in March 2016 he was appointed governor of the province of Inhambane.
Mozambique will hold its seventh presidential and parliamentary elections on October 9, the second for provincial governors and the fourth for provincial assemblies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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