Hundreds of supporters of Mozambique’s opposition gathered for protests on Wednesday as the nation welcomed a new president amid contentious elections and violent unrest.
Daniel Chapo was sworn in as the fifth president of Mozambique in front of approximately 2,500 attendees who braved the sweltering heat outside the city hall in the capital, Maputo.
Opposition supporters held a peaceful demonstration just a short distance away, as security forces armed with guns and batons prevented them from reaching the inauguration site. Authorities restricted access to several roads and maintained a strong presence throughout various areas of Maputo.
Chapo, a 48-year-old law graduate, recognized the urgent need to address the ongoing instability affecting the southern African country.
“Social harmony cannot be delayed, nor can the establishment of consensus on issues that concern the Mozambican populace. Dialogue has already commenced, and we will not cease our efforts until we achieve a united and cohesive nation,” he stated.
In December, the country’s Constitutional Council declared Chapo the victor of the presidential election, awarding him 65.17% of the votes and dismissing a challenge from opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who received 24%.
Following the elections, a wave of protests and a violent response from security forces resulted in the deaths of at least 300 individuals, including many children, according to reports from local and international human rights organizations.
Mondlane, a 50-year-old pastor, has been at the forefront of the protest movement, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook to call for the “restoration of electoral truth.” Additionally, several Western nations, including the United States, have raised concerns regarding the legitimacy of the elections.
