Daniel Chapo Sworn In As Mozambique President

Mondlane Threatens To Intensify Protests

Daniel Francisco Chapo was sworn in as the fifth president of Mozambique during a public ceremony today in central Maputo, the capital, in a sparsely attended ceremony under a dark cloud of political tensions and uncertainty.

This extends Frelimo’s rule since independence from Portugal in 1975 to 50 years, half a century.

Swearing in Chapo, 47, Lucia Ribeiro, president of the Constitutional Council, said:”In accordance with Article 149, paragraph 1, of the Constitution of the Republic, I hereby declare His Excellency Daniel Francisco Chapo inaugurated as President of the Republic of Mozambique.”

The inauguration was held at Independence Square and was attended by prominent figures, including former presidents Joaquim Chissano, Armando Guebuza and outgoing head of state Filipe Nyusi.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a close ally of Chapo and the ruling Frelimo, was conspicuous by his absence.

Mnangagwa, who is also the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) chairperson, was represented by Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Mozambique Victor Matemadanda and Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament.

Most Sadc heads of state and government were not there.

Mnangagwa rushed with indecent haste to congratulate Chapo before official results were even announced, hence compromising himself to play a meditation role.

After an incandescent dispute, the Constitutional Council came up with revised figures and said Chapo won by 65%, while the main opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane got 24%.

Only South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Bissau-Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embalo were present.

Ramaphosa is currently facilitating talks between Chapo and Mondlane who rejected the disputed outcome of the 9 October 2024 elections, fueling the post-election violence and chaos engulfing the country.

The situation deteriorated after the murder of Mondlane’s lawyer and opposition Podemos candidate on 19 October 2024.

Mondlane says he survived an assassination attempt, which forced him into self-imposed exile in South Africa before returning home last week to a sea of people amid renewed protests.

The militant opposition leader controls the streets and has called for further protests this week.

There were over 2 000 guests at the inauguration ceremony, including representatives of governments, organisations, cooperation partners, and other dignitaries.

In his inaugural speech, Chapo said he will make significant administrative reforms, including reducing the number of ministries and eliminating superfluous positions such as deputy ministers, reallocating resources to critical sectors.

The post of deputy minister would now be replaced by “secretaries of state” with clear and well-defined roles and responsibilities, who respond directly to the ministers.

“It will be a smaller government, but one that is highly agile and efficient,” he said.

Mondlane said protests will not stop even if it means doing so for the whole of Chapo’s term of office.