Daniel Chapo Confirmed as Mozambique’s President After Protests and Two Murders, Opponent Leaves Country

Two weeks before the vote, marked by allegations of fraud and the death of two Podemos collaborators, Venancio Mondlane is informed of an attack against him. The new president calls for dialogue

ROME – “I want to be the president of all Mozambicans. Let’s engage in dialogue, in confrontation“. These were words of relaxation spoken by Daniel Chapo, the candidate proclaimed winner by the National Electoral Commission (CNE), in the general elections on Sunday 9 October. According to the CNE, Chapo obtained 70.67% of the votes, while participation exceeded 43% of the 17 million eligible voters. A success, however, followed by reports of fraud – also from observers from the European Union – and the assassination of two figures linked to the opposition, which increased participation in protest marches that were harshly repressed.

“It is not through protests that Mozambique develops,” added Chapo, Filipe Nyusi’s heir, “but through peace, dialogue, harmony, security and discussion. We are open to any Mozambican who has an idea to contribute to our country.”

On Tuesday, October 22, the EU observer mission reported that some of its 179 delegates were prevented from entering polling stations to carry out their monitoring duties. Others reported “unjustified alterations” to the results in some polling stations. The fraud was also denounced by the opposition parties, not only in relation to the victory of the candidate Chapo, but also of the party that supports him, Frelimo, in power for decades in the country, which would have obtained 195 seats in parliament out of a total of 250. Podemos won 31 – entering the Assembly for the first time – and Renamo 20. Four went to the Mozambique Democratic Movement. The presidential candidate of the latter formation, Luther Simango, who obtained 3%, said he would appeal, while Venancio Mondlane, supported by Podemos and who reached over 20% of the vote, decided to flee abroad after days of calls for protests and general strikes.

MONDLANE OF PODEMOS REFUGES ABROAD: ‘THEY WANTED TO KILL ME’

The candidate, who before running with Podemos was the candidate of Renamo, the main opposition party, said he had received a report from Mozambican intelligence according to which an attack against him was being prepared. Like the one in which two of his collaborators lost their lives last October 18, in Maputo: an armed commando shot at the car in which were traveling Elvino Dias, lawyer and advisor of the candidate Mondlane, and Paulo Guambe, spokesman.
Immediately after, demonstrations and general strikes were called, which Frelimo contested, while publicly condemning the death of the two collaborators of Podemos, according to which Mondlane had in reality won with 53%.