Daniel Chapo is sworn in as president of Mozambique as Venâncio Mondlane calls for a strike

Mozambique’s new President Daniel Chapo was sworn in at a formal ceremony in the capital Maputo, which has been boycotted by the opposition following a heavily disputed election.

Most businesses in Maputo are closed and the streets are largely deserted after defeated presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane called for a nationwide strike in protest.

In his first presidential speech, Chapo, 47, pledged to “dedicate all his energies” to promoting unity and human rights in a country traumatized by post-election violence.

A local civil society group said more than 300 people have been killed in clashes with security forces since October’s election.

Chapo won with 65% of the vote, extending the Frelimo party’s 49 years in power.

Mondlane – who ran as an independent – ranked second with 24% of the vote. He rejected the results, saying they were fraudulent and called for a strike on inauguration day “to fight the people’s bandits”.

Addressing some 2,500 guests at the heavily guarded ceremony, Chapo said that “together we will restore patriotism and pride in being Mozambicans”.

“Mozambique cannot continue to be hostage to corruption, nepotism and incompetence,” he added.

Police opened fire to disperse the crowd outside Independence Square, where the ceremony was held, as Chapo’s motorcade left later.

The crowd was mainly Mondlane supporters, but there were also some Chapo supporters. Both groups had previously attempted to enter the venue but were barred from doing so.

“Is this a wedding with a private invitation? We wanted to see the president sworn in but were told it was not possible,” Maputo resident Paulu Hamuze told the BBC.

Mondlane’s election campaign was supported by a small opposition party, which heeded calls to boycott his inauguration.

Both of Mozambique’s leading opposition parties – Renamo and MDM – also boycotted the swearing-in ceremony because they also did not recognize Chapo as the rightful winner.

Chapo succeeds Filipe Nyusi, who resigned after his two terms.

Even those in Mozambique who wish Chapo to be safe have openly questioned his legitimacy, or whether he can solve the problems he has identified.

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

“I’ve worked with him for four years – I’m used to his willingness to act, his openness to dialogue and his willingness to follow recommendations from civil society on the ground.”

“However, he is holding an illegal power. This comes from a fraudulent election process… He is in power in a context where the people do not accept him.”

In addition to winning over a hostile public, Chapo will also have to implement the economic reforms and crackdown on corruption that he promised during the election campaign.

Analyst and investigative journalist Luis Nhanchote said: “Chapo will face many enemies because it appears that Mozambique is run by cartels, including book cartels, drug cartels, sugar cartels, drug cartels, kidnapping cartels, mafia groups.”

He added: “He needs to have a strong team of experts ready to join him in his meticulous campaign to dismantle the groups.”

“But first he must reassure the people of Mozambique and do all in his power to restore peace in the country.”

Daniel Francisco Chapo was born on January 6, 1977 in Inhaminga, a town in Sofala province, the sixth child in a family of 10 siblings. It was a time of civil war in Mozambique and the armed conflict forced his family to move to another nearby district.

His secondary education in the coastal city of Beira was followed by a law degree from Eduardo Mondlane University, followed by a master’s degree in development management from the Catholic University of Mozambique.

Now married to Gueta Sulemane Chapo and with three children, Chapo is also said to be a church-going Christian and fan of basketball and soccer.

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

Before becoming the presidential candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, he served as a radio and television presenter, a legal notary, a university lecturer and a provincial governor before serving as general secretary. Frelimo.

Speaking at his recent birthday celebration, Chapo himself acknowledged the difficult challenge that awaits him as president.

“We must restore the country economically…Destroying is easy, but building is not an easy task.”

He said national reconciliation, creating more jobs, reforming election laws and decentralizing power are top priorities on his agenda.

But how can he succeed without the majority of the country behind him?

At least he will mark a change from outgoing President Felipe Nyusi, whose backside Ms. Chitsungo said many Mozambicans will be glad to see.

“Chapo is a figure of dialogue and consensus, not someone who perpetuates Nyusi’s violent style of rule. He is capable of negotiating with Mondlane.

Ms Chitsungo added: “While Chapo may not fully meet all of Mondlane’s demands, I believe he can meet at least 50% of them.”

Mondlane – a part-time pastor who claims to be the real winner of the polls – is said to be holed up in one of Maputo’s hotels after returning from voluntary exile.

It is not known what security measures he has there, nor who is paying for it.

He alleged that last week, while visiting a market in Maputo, a vendor in the vicinity was shot, repeat of the murders of two of his close aides in October.

As the mastermind of nationwide protests against the disputed election results, he is widely seen as a voice for the voiceless. However, currently the president-elect’s camp is not publicly engaging him.

However, analysts told the BBC that listening to public grievances and demands, and at times ignoring the dictates of his ruling Frelimo party, will be key to Chapo’s success.

They say finding some way to engage constructively with Mondlane will certainly be motivating.

Mr. Nhachote argued that winning public support could also force Chapo to say no to “lucrative elite salaries and fringe benefits, some of which are 10 times higher than the average.” Mozambique’s minimum wage”.

Additionally, if Chapo is to have any chance of ending the broader political crisis, he will need support from others to implement lasting, structural change, say prominent clerics Rev Anastacio Chembeze argued.

“Perhaps we should be skeptical of a single person being able to solve Mozambique’s challenges – change must start with the system itself.

“We should strive to decentralize power within the state apparatus, international monopolies have enormous benefits for the country and we have serious ethical problems within the political elite that need to be addressed.” handle.”

Analysts told the BBC that once in office, Chapo should fire the country’s Police Chief Bernadino Rafael. He denies any wrongdoing but is seen by some as the mastermind behind a brutal response to the post-election protests.

They say they want to replace him with a successor who “respects human rights” and complies with legal and international standards. Another proposal put forward by analysts is the appointment of a new justice minister.

Chapo will be the first president of Mozambique not to participate in the war for independence.

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

“If he wants to make a real mark on history, he must challenge the icons of the past. If not possible [manage that]I’m sure he will only run for one term.”