Mozambique will get a new President amid protests

More than three months after disputed elections, Mozambique’s president-elect is being sworn in on Wednesday, prompting threats of a “national strike.”

Daniel Chapo, who is 48, received 65% of the votes in a survey Opposition leaders, election observers and the public at large said there was tampering,

The result sparked a wave of demonstrations – some peaceful but others violent – ​​that led to chaos, including killings and vandalism.

Chapo’s biggest rival is Venancio Mondlane. Last week he returned from self-exile. He spent time in South Africa where he says he survived an assassination attempt.

Now he is calling on Mozambicans to take to the streets once again on Inauguration Day “against the thieves of the people.”

Both of Mozambique’s main opposition parties – RENAMO and MDM – say they are boycotting Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony because they too do not consider Chapo the rightful winner.

Even those in Mozambique who wish well for the newly elected president openly question his legitimacy.

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

“I worked with him for four years – I know his willingness to work, his openness to dialogue and his readiness to follow recommendations from civil society at the grassroots level.

“However, he is holding power in an illegitimate manner. It stems from a fraudulent electoral process… He is holding power in a context where the people do not accept him.”

In addition to winning over a hostile public, Chapo must also deliver the economic transformation and crackdown on corruption he promised during his campaign.

Analyst and investigative journalist Luis Nanchotte says, “Chapo will face many enemies because he seems to be run by the Mozambican cartel, which includes the book cartel, the drugs cartel, the sugar cartel, the drugs cartel, the kidnapping cartel. Cartels, mafia groups are involved.”

“They need a strong team of experts who are willing to join them in this campaign to discreetly dismantle the groups,” he added.

“But first, he must pacify Mozambicans and do all he can 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 Mozambique’s civil war, and armed conflict forced his family to move to another nearby district.

He had his secondary school education in the coastal city of Beira, followed by a law degree from Eduardo Mondlane University and then a master’s degree in development management from the Catholic University of Mozambique.

Guetta is now married to Suleiman Chapo, with whom she has three children. Chapo is also said to be a church-going Christian and a basketball and football enthusiast.

Many current and former colleagues describe Chapo as a humble, hard-working and patient leader.

Before becoming the presidential candidate of the ruling FRELIMO party he was a radio and television host, a legal notary, university lecturer and provincial governor before rising to the position of Secretary General in FRELIMO.

Speaking at his recent birthday celebration, Chapo himself acknowledged the difficult challenge he faces as president.

“We have to reset our country economically…It is easy to destroy, but to build is not an easy task.”

National reconciliation, creating more jobs, reforming electoral laws and decentralization of power are at the top of his agenda, he said.

But how successful can he be without the country behind him?

At the very least he will mark a change from outgoing President Felipe Nyusi, whom Ms Chitsungo says many Mozambicans will be happy to see at the back.

“Chapo is a symbol of dialogue and consensus, not an enabler of Nyusi’s violent governing style. He has the ability to negotiate with Mondlane.

“Although Chapo cannot fully meet all of Mondlane’s demands, I believe he can meet at least 50% of them,” Ms Chitsungo says.

Mondlane – a part-time pastor and independent candidate who insists he is the true winner of the elections – is reported to be sheltering in place in a hotel in the capital city. It is not known what security he has there, nor who is paying for it.

He alleges that a vendor was shot near him while visiting a market in Maputo last week, Echoes of the murder of two of his close associates in October,

As the mastermind of nationwide protests against the disputed election results, many have come to see him as the voice of the voiceless. Yet, at present, the camp of the newly elected President is not talking to him publicly.

Nonetheless, analysts told the BBC that Chapo’s ability to listen to public complaints and demands, and sometimes ignore orders from his ruling Frelimo party, will be key to success.

It seems like finding a way to creatively connect with Mondlane would undoubtedly be a boost.

Mr Nahachote argues that to win over the public Chapo may have to say no to “hefty salaries for the elite and fringe benefits, some of which are 10 times higher than Mozambique’s minimum wage”.

Moreover, if Chapo is to have any chance of ending the broader political crisis, he will need the support of others to make lasting, structural changes, argues prominent pastor Rev. Anastasio Chambez.

“Perhaps we should be skeptical of a single individual to solve Mozambique’s challenges – change must begin within the system itself.

“We must strive for separation of powers within the state apparatus, international monopolies have large interests in the country, and we have serious ethical issues within the political elite to address this.”

Once in office, Chapo is advised to fire the country’s police chief, Bernardino Rafael, analysts told the BBC. He denies any wrongdoing but some consider him the mastermind of the brutal response to post-election protests.

He says he wants to be replaced by a successor who “respects human rights” and adheres to legal and international standards. Another suggestion that analysts have made is to bring in a new attorney-general.

It is noteworthy that Chapo will be the first President of Mozambique who did not fight for independence.

“He is part of the new generation,” Mr Nahachote says. “Part of his background is completely different from his predecessors – he was born in the country they liberated.”

“If he wants to leave a real mark on history, he will have to challenge those symbols of the past. If he can’t (manage that) then I’m sure he will contest only for one term.”