Mozambique elects new president amid protests

Mozambique’s president-elect was sworn in on Wednesday, more than three months after disputed elections, with threats of a “national strike”.

Daniel Chapo, 48, won 65% of the vote. Opposition leaders, election observers and the public said they were elected as doctors..

The result sparked many peaceful protests – some peaceful but others violent – including killings and destruction.

Chapo’s biggest rival is Vencio Mondlan. He returned himself from exile last week. He said he survived an assassination attempt in South Africa.

He is now calling on Mozambicans to take to the streets “against thieves of the people” on Inauguration Day.

Both Mozambique’s main opposition parties – Renamo and MDM – say they will not attend Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony because they do not recognize Chapo as the de facto winner.

Even well-wishers in Mozambique question the legitimacy of the president-elect.

“Chapo is someone I really admire,” civil society activist Myrna Chitsungo told the BBC.

“I have worked with him for four years – I know his willingness to work, his openness to dialogue and his readiness to follow advice from civil society on the ground.

But he is holding illegal power. This stems from a rigged election process… the people are taking power in a context that they do not accept.

In addition to winning over the hostile public, Chapo will have to stop corruption and bring economic change, which he promised in his campaign line.

“Chapo faces many enemies because Mozambique seems to be run by cartels: book cartels, drug cartels, sugar cartels, drug gangs, kidnapping gangs, mafia gangs,” said analyst and investigative journalist Luis Nhanchote.

He added, “He must have a strong team of experts willing to join him in this campaign to dismantle the gangs.”

But first he must reassure Mozambicans and do everything possible to restore peace to the country.

Daniel Francisco Chapo was born on January 6, 1977 in Inhaminga, Sofala Province, the sixth of 10 siblings. These were the years of the Mozambican civil war and armed conflict forced the family to move to another district nearby.

He completed his high school education in the coastal city of Beira with a law degree from the Eduardo Mondlane University and then a master’s degree in development management from the Catholic University of Mozambique.

Now married with three children, Guta Sulemane Chapo Chapo is said to be a churchgoer and a basketball and football lover.

Many current and former colleagues describe Chapo as a humble, hardworking and patient leader.

Before becoming the presidential candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, he was a radio and television host, a legal notary, a university lecturer and a provincial administrator before being appointed Secretary General of Frelimo.

Speaking at a recent birthday celebration, Chapo himself acknowledged the tough challenge ahead of him as president.

“We need to recover our country economically… Demolishing is easy but building is not an easy task.”

He also said that national reconciliation, creating more job opportunities, electoral law reform and decentralization are the main agendas.

But how can a country behind it be successful?

At least it marks a change from outgoing President Felipe Nyusi, Ms. Chitsungo said, adding that many Mozambicans will be happy to see him back.

“Chapo is an example of dialogue and compromise, not to continue the Newesin style of violent rule. He has the capacity to negotiate with Mondlan.”

Ms. Chitsungo added, “Although Chapo has not fully met all of Mondlan’s needs, I believe he can meet at least 50 percent of them.”

Mondlan – a part-time pastor and independent candidate who is the real winner of the election – is reportedly holed up in one of the capital’s hotels. It is not known what kind of security he has there or who is paying for it.

He alleged that a local vendor was shot while visiting a market in Maputo last week. Echoing the murders of two of his closest associates in October..

As the leader who orchestrated nationwide protests against the controversial election results, he is seen as a voice for many who have no voice. However, at the moment, the president-elect’s camp is not publicly engaging.

Still, listening to the people’s complaints and demands, or even ignoring the orders of the ruling Frelimo party, will be key to Chapo’s success, analysts told the BBC.

No doubt finding some way to constructively engage with Mondlane.

In order to win over the public, Chapo could force Chapo to refuse “the seventy wages paid to elected officials and fringe benefits, some of which are 10 times the minimum wage in Mozambique.”

In addition, if Chapo is to have any chance of ending the widespread political crisis, he will need the support of others to make lasting structural changes, argues Rev. Anastasio Chembez, a prominent priest.

“Perhaps we need to rely on one person to solve Mozambique’s challenges – change must start in the system.

“We must strive for a separation of powers in the governmental structure, international monopolies have a great advantage in the country, and we have serious ethical issues in the political elite to solve the problem.”

Analysts have told the BBC that once Chapo is in office, he will be advised to sack the country’s police chief, Bernadino Rafael. He denies any wrongdoing but is seen by some as the mastermind behind the brutal response to the post-election protests.

They say they want him to be replaced by a successor who “respects human rights” and follows legal and international standards. Another suggestion by analysts is to bring in a new Attorney General.

Notably, Chapo will be the first president who did not fight in Mozambique’s independence war.

“He is part of the new generation. His part of the story is completely different from his predecessors – he was born in a country that was liberated by them,” said Mr Nhachot.

“If he wants to make a real mark on history, he has to challenge those past icons. If he can’t (manage this), I’m sure he’ll only run once.”