Mozambique Inaugurates New President Amid Protests and Unrest Following Controversial Election

Mozambique Inaugurates New President Amid Protests and Unrest Following Controversial Election

Opposition supporters took to the streets on Wednesday as Mozambique inaugurated its new president, Daniel Chapo, amid continuing protests and unrest that followed a disputed election.

Chapo, the country’s fifth president, was sworn in during a ceremony attended by around 2,500 people in front of Maputo’s city hall. The event was marked by intense heat, with opposition supporters gathering a short distance away, peacefully protesting against the election results. Security forces, armed with guns and batons, blocked their path and took measures to prevent them from reaching the ceremony.

In the run-up to the inauguration, authorities shut down several roads and deployed a heavy security presence across various parts of Maputo, the capital, to maintain control during the protests.

Chapo, 48, a law graduate, acknowledged the challenges facing the nation and emphasized the need for unity to overcome the political instability that has gripped Mozambique. “Social harmony cannot wait, nor can the building of consensus for the matters that worry the Mozambican people. Dialogue has already begun, and we will not rest until we have a united and cohesive country,” he said in his speech.

In December, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council declared Chapo the winner of the presidential election with 65.17% of the vote, dismissing the opposition’s challenge. Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who contested the results, claimed he received 24% of the vote, and his camp continues to question the election’s legitimacy.

Following the election, widespread protests erupted, leading to violent clashes with security forces. The ensuing crackdown has left at least 300 people dead, including many children, according to human rights organizations. The protests have intensified the country’s political crisis, with critics accusing the government of using force to suppress dissent.

Mondlane, a 50-year-old pastor, has been organizing protests via social media, calling for the “restoration of electoral truth.” His movement has garnered support from Mozambicans who believe the elections were rigged. Some Western nations, including the United States, have also raised concerns about the fairness of the election process and the legitimacy of the results.

As the country navigates the aftermath of the contentious election and the resulting unrest, Chapo’s administration faces significant challenges in restoring peace and addressing the deep divisions within the country.

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