Mozambique’s president-elect, Daniel Chapo, of the long-ruling Frelimo party, has called for national unity and non-violence following widespread riots that erupted this week in response to his controversial election victory. Chapo’s call for peace came after a week of violent protests and unrest, which resulted in significant loss of life and destruction across several cities.
Chapo, whose October election win was confirmed by Mozambique’s top court earlier this week, expressed regret over the violence and promised that after his inauguration in mid-January, he would serve as “the president of all Mozambicans,” despite opposition accusations of widespread vote-rigging. His victory, which has been contested by opposition parties, particularly the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), has deeply divided the country, exacerbating tensions that have led to protests, clashes, and civil unrest.

The unrest began in earnest after the court’s decision, which upheld Chapo’s win and triggered a week of protests led by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. Demonstrators took to the streets, blocking roads and looting businesses. In the midst of the chaos, a significant security breach occurred when hundreds of inmates escaped from a prison in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital. The violence spread rapidly across the country, with protesters confronting police and military forces, leading to deadly clashes.
According to local non-governmental organization Plataforma Decide, the death toll from the riots has reached at least 134 people, bringing the total number of deaths since the October election to 261. The worst-hit cities were Maputo, Matola, Beira, and Nampula, all of which experienced intense violence and destruction during the protests. Chapo confirmed the grim statistics in his first public statement since the court ruling, condemning the unrest and stressing that it only served to harm the country’s economy and stability. “These acts only contribute to the decline of the country and the increase in the number of Mozambicans heading towards unemployment and poverty,” he said, acknowledging that several police officers were also among the dead.
The violence and instability have forced thousands of Mozambicans to flee the country, many seeking refuge in neighboring Malawi. The continued unrest has further complicated an already fragile situation in Mozambique, which has been grappling with economic difficulties, corruption, and the ongoing threat of insurgent groups in its northern regions.

Chapo’s call for unity is seen as an attempt to calm the situation, though it remains to be seen how effective his message will be in a country deeply divided by political and economic challenges. With his official inauguration scheduled for mid-January, Chapo will face the immense task of restoring stability and rebuilding trust in Mozambique’s democratic processes. However, the opposition remains highly critical of the election, which they claim was marred by fraud and manipulation, and the calls for accountability and reform are unlikely to subside anytime soon.