Mozambique’s Ruling Party Wins Disputed Election Amid Protests.

Daniel Chapo will become the first Mozambican president born after independence in 1975. Courtesy image.

Mozambique’s ruling party, Frelimo, has won a divisive and violence-ridden election, solidifying its 49-year hold on power, according to official results.

The election has been marked by controversy, with opposition parties alleging rigging and reports of the killing of opposition supporters sparking widespread protests.

Daniel Chapo, Frelimo’s relatively unknown presidential candidate, secured 71% of the vote and is set to become the first president born after Mozambique gained independence in 1975. Chapo, 47, is viewed as an agent of change, replacing outgoing president Filipe Nyusi, who has served the maximum two terms in office. Venancio Mondlane, Chapo’s closest challenger, garnered 20% of the vote. Ossufo Momade, the candidate for the former rebel group Renamo, came in third with 6%.

Following the announcement of the results, violent protests broke out in several towns across Mozambique, resulting in a number of deaths. A heavy police presence has been reported in multiple areas to control the unrest. Mondlane has called for a national strike, condemning the alleged election rigging and mourning the deaths of his lawyer and a party official, who were both shot dead in what Mondlane claims were politically motivated attacks.

The election has drawn international attention, with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa prematurely congratulating Chapo on his victory, even before the official results were announced. Mnangagwa himself has faced numerous allegations of election fraud in his own country.

Frelimo also dominated the parliamentary and provincial elections, securing 195 of the 250 seats in parliament. The opposition Podemos, which supported Mondlane, won 31 seats, while Renamo managed to secure just 20 seats. Additionally, Frelimo won all provincial elections.

The low voter turnout—only 43% of the more than 17 million registered voters participated—reflects the polarized and tense atmosphere surrounding the election. This election was viewed as a critical turning point for Mozambique, a resource-rich country facing significant economic challenges, corruption, and widespread poverty. However, the disputed results and subsequent violence raise concerns about the nation’s future stability.

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