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.
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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

Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned home on Thursday after fleeing the country following a disputed October 2024 election that sparked deadly demonstrations.
Mondlane alleged that the October 9 poll was rigged and called on his supporters to take to the streets across the southern African nation of 35 million.
According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mozambique-opposition-leader-returns-after-fleeing-post-election-safety-fears-2025-01-09/">Reuters</a>, a heavy riot police presence was felt around Maputo’s international airport, where thousands gathered to welcome Mondlane.
A Reuters witness reported that tear gas was fired on crowds in the area, and snipers were positioned on buildings around the air base.
Protests have continued sporadically for more than two months, and Mondlane’s return could escalate the situation.
Civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide reported that at least 278 people had died in the protests since mid-October when the electoral commission announced FRELIMO had won the elections.
FRELIMO has ruled Mozambique since the end of the war against Portuguese colonial rule in 1975.
Last year’s unrest hurt businesses and disrupted border access with neighbouring South Africa, while some people fled to neighbouring Malawi and Eswatini amid the violence.
On December 23, Mozambique’s top court, the Constitutional Council, confirmed FRELIMO’s victory in the election, sparking a fresh wave of protests.
Newly-elected President Daniel Chapo is set to be sworn in next week.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Venancio Mondlane, an opposition leader in Mozambique, came back home after leaving due to violence after a disputed 2024 election. He said the election was unfair and urged his supporters to protest. There was a lot of security at the airport when he returned, with tear gas and snipers present. Protests have been happening for over two months, with at least 278 people dying. The ruling party, FRELIMO, has been in power since 1975. The unrest has hurt businesses and caused people to flee. Despite protests, FRELIMO's win was confirmed, and a new president will be sworn in soon.

Mozambique Opposition Leader Venancio Mondlane Returns Home

More than 2,000 Mozambican families sought refuge in Malawi last week as violent protests erupted over a disputed election on October 9, resulting in dozens of deaths.
Monitoring group Plataforma Decide reported that the death toll had reached 125 since the court’s decision and 252 since late October.
On Christmas Day, over 1,500 prisoners escaped from Maputo Central Prison, taking advantage of the national protests following the disputed polls.
According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mozambicans-flee-neighbouring-malawi-amid-post-election-unrest-2024-12-27/">Reuters</a>, some businesses, including banks, were closed in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, on Friday, and patrols were set up in some areas.
A senior Malawian official said that as of Wednesday, 2,182 Mozambican households fleeing the violence had crossed into Malawi’s Nsanje district, which borders Mozambique.
In a letter to the country’s commissioner for refugees seen by Reuters, Nsanje district commissioner Dominic Mwandira described the situation as dire, with people urgently requiring humanitarian assistance.
Protests in Mozambique intensified after the Constitutional Council announced on December 23 that FRELIMO’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, secured approximately 65% of the vote, a decrease from the 70% reported by the electoral commission in October.
The Council also adjusted the number of parliamentary seats awarded to FRELIMO, though the reasons for these changes were not disclosed.
Mozambique’s main opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, who the Constitutional Council said came second in the presidential election and who rejects the results, has called for more protests from his supporters but urged them not to loot or damage infrastructure.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Thousands of families from Mozambique ran away to Malawi because of fighting after the election. Many people died. Some prisoners escaped during the chaos. In Mozambique, some businesses closed, and there were patrols. Lots of families crossed into Malawi and need help. The election results changed, causing more problems. The opposition leader wants more protests but no violence. People are worried and need help.

Over 2,000 Mozambican Families Flee To Malawi Amid Post-Election Violence

Mozambique’s main opposition leader, Venâncio Mondlane, has announced he will declare himself president on 15 January, rejecting his defeat in the October 09 presidential elections.
Mondlane’s supporters have staged violent protests across the country, demanding an end to Frelimo’s 49-year rule.
Since Monday, December 23, when the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the election results, at least 21 people have been killed in the unrest, with FRELIMO offices, police stations, banks, and factories being looted, vandalized, and set ablaze.
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5lyj6l6v6o">BBC reported</a> that the capital, Maputo, was eerily quiet on Christmas Eve, with businesses closed and people staying at home to avoid the escalating violence.
The unrest followed Mozambique’s highest court upholding the victory of FRELIMO’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, in the October elections. Mondlane challenged the result, claiming the election was rigged.
Mondlane, currently in self-imposed exile, declared he would assume the presidency on 15 January, the same day Chapo is set to be sworn in. He has not specified how he plans to take office.
Mondlane, currently in self-imposed exile, declared he would assume the presidency on 15 January, the same day Chapo is set to be sworn in. He has not specified how he plans to take office.
Despite his rejection of the election result, Mondlane has urged his supporters to remain peaceful, stating, “We are with the people. We do not advocate any form of violence.”
The electoral commission initially declared Chapo the winner with 71% of the vote, but the Constitutional Council revised the result to 65% for Chapo and 24% for Mondlane.
Rights groups have reported over 100 deaths since the election, blaming security forces for many of the killings, although police claim they were defending themselves from attacks.
Mondlane, an evangelical pastor, ran as an independent after splitting from the RENAMO party. His support is strongest among young, unemployed Mozambicans seeking change.
Chapo, FRELIMO’s youngest-ever candidate, has rejected accusations of election rigging.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Venâncio Mondlane, the opposition leader in Mozambique, says he will make himself president on January 15, even though he lost the election. His supporters are protesting and causing violence in the country. The ruling party, FRELIMO, has been in power for almost 50 years. After the election result was confirmed, there have been many deaths and lots of damage. Mondlane wants to take office on the same day as the official winner, Daniel Chapo. Despite all this, Mondlane is telling his supporters to be peaceful. A lot of people have died since the election, with some blaming the police for the violence. Mondlane is popular among young people who want to see a change.

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