Despite considerable worldwide concerns about the fairness and transparency of the recent elections, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council (CC) has formally announced January 15 as the date for the inauguration of the nation’s next president. These views have been repeated by opposition parties in Mozambique, which claim that the elections were not held in a free and fair manner.
With 65.17 percent of the vote, Daniel Chapo of the governing Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) was proclaimed the winner of the October 9 election by the CC on December 23. President Filipe Nyusi will be succeeded by Chapo, and in the general elections on October 9, Frelimo also kept its legislative majority.
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However, the aftermath of the elections has been marred by violence, with the non-governmental organization Decide Electoral Platform reporting that 277 individuals have lost their lives and 586 have been injured since October 21. “Mozambicans deserve elections that are free of violence and that reflect the will of the people,” stated the US State Department following the CC’s ruling.
The department noted that civil society organizations, political parties, media, and international observers—including those from the United States—identified significant irregularities in the vote tabulation process and expressed concerns about a lack of transparency throughout the election period. The US has urged all stakeholders to avoid violence and engage in constructive dialogue to restore peace and unity. Independent presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, supported by the Podemos party, has rejected the CC’s results, claiming 24.19 percent of the vote. Leading protests from abroad, Mondlane recently declared on social media that he would take office on January 15.
According to the CC, Renamo leader Ossufo Momade received 6.62 percent of the vote, while MDM leader Lutero Simango garnered 4.02 percent. The ongoing unrest has displaced approximately 3,000 people, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries. The UN refugee agency UNHCR reported that over 2,000 individuals have fled to Malawi and another 1,000 to Eswatini in just the past week. The Southern African Development Community (Sadc), facing criticism for its perceived inaction regarding the post-election turmoil in Mozambique, expressed deep concern on Tuesday over the ongoing loss of life, injuries, and destruction of property and infrastructure in the country.
Countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia have also been impacted by the protests, as they rely on Mozambican ports for their import and export activities. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, chairperson of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, emphasized that the current situation has led to significant economic challenges, disrupted cross-border trade, and hindered free movement. “We therefore appeal for an immediate cessation of all hostilities while reiterating the importance of prioritizing the well-being and livelihoods of the Mozambican people,” she stated. Sadc has also called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could escalate violence and unrest.
Source: The EastAfrican
