Mozambique’s Vencio Mondla is open to serving in Daniel Chapo’s government.

Mozambique’s main opposition leader, Vencio Mondlan, has told the BBC he is prepared to serve in a government to end the political crisis that has gripped the country following disputed elections if President Daniel Chapo meets his demands.

Chapo said he had formed a group in which he “thinks” his rival should be invited to join a new “inclusive” government.

The two men outlined their position in an exclusive interview with the BBC, giving the impression that they are ready to come closer after the post-election unrest left nearly 300 people dead.

Mondlan did not accept defeat in the October elections, the results of which were rigged – Chapo denied it.

Mozambique’s Supreme Court declared Chapo the winner with 65 percent of the vote to Mondla’s 24 percent.

Chapo was the candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, as his predecessor, Felipe Nusi, had to step down after serving two terms.

Chapo was officially sworn in on January 15, about a week after Mondla held his own inauguration to declare himself “the people’s president.”

Mondlan told the BBC that Chapo was “imposed” on the nation and that he was the “president of the armed forces”.

According to Mondlane, however, the first 100 rivals decided to end the protests on the condition that:

• Unconditionally release nearly 5,000 people arrested for taking part in peaceful demonstrations against the election results
• Paying financial compensation to the families of those killed by the police during the protests and
• Providing free medical treatment to around 200 people injured by the police.

Mondlan said that if Chapo agrees, he will “open a window” for negotiations or call on his supporters to renew the protest.

Asked if he was ready to work in Chapo’s government, Mondlan replied, “Yes, if he has a sincere desire to work with me, he has the opportunity to invite me to the negotiating table.”

In an interview with the BBC, Chapo said he wants to “governe in a comprehensive way” and make reforms to address electoral law, human rights and freedom of expression.

He said that discussions are currently being held with the opposition parties represented in the new parliament, and that it will be expanded to include “all sections of the society” later.

Chapo added that he wanted to form a government “open to all Mozambicans” but wanted to emphasize that “the profile of the people is very important”.

When asked whether or not he believes Chapo Mondla is qualified to serve in government, he said: “It will depend… because now there is a group that is considering the profile of the people, their competence, their competence, their patriotism – everything.” These prerequisites I mentioned.

“If the group comes to the conclusion that these people have the right profile, they will be part of the government. Those who do not have this profile will not participate.”

Chapo, 47, was chosen as a candidate by Frelimo, which has been in power since independence 49 years ago, to mobilize young voters affected by high unemployment and is fed up with the party’s decade-long rule.

They told the BBC that they want to increase domestic and foreign investment in Mozambique to make the economy more dynamic.

This will create job opportunities for the youth to “build their homes, establish their families and stabilize their lives”.

The 50-year-old Mondlan was seen garnering huge support among the youth during the election campaign with the slogan “Save Mozambique – this country is ours”.

He broke away from the main opposition Renamo party and contested the election as an independent.

The smaller party he nominated won a few parliamentary seats in the election.