Daniel Chapo, Mozambique’s president-elect, is pledging to restore investor confidence and stabilize the economy following intense unrest that erupted after the disputed October 9 elections. Chapo, a 47-year-old lawyer and former provincial governor, won 65% of the vote, but his victory has been met with protests and violence, which has disrupted the economy and delayed significant projects, including a $20 billion natural gas export plan led by TotalEnergies SE.
Chapo, who is set to be inaugurated on January 15, announced a national reconciliation and dialogue initiative aimed at bringing political leaders, civil society, and communities together to address grievances, foster understanding, and build trust. “This initiative will help restore peace and ensure that the country’s development is not derailed,” Chapo said in an interview after the Constitutional Council confirmed his landslide win.
The unrest, marked by riots in port cities such as Beira and Nacala, has led to the death of at least 130 people since protests began in late October, with 16 more fatalities reported since the announcement of the election results. The violence has targeted banks and government buildings, with mobs attacking bank branches and setting fire to the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) offices.
The political turmoil has impacted Mozambique’s economy, particularly in the mining and gas sectors. Standard Bank Group Ltd.’s local unit expects an economic contraction in the coming months, adding to the country’s already strained finances. Local and international observers raised concerns about vote-rigging, but the Constitutional Council maintained that the irregularities would not have changed the election outcome.
Chapo has ruled out forming a national unity government with the opposition, despite calls from Venâncio Mondlane, the opposition leader who garnered 24% of the vote and continues to dispute the results. Mondlane, who has fled the country, has been orchestrating protests via live stream and called for international mediation. Despite the unrest, Chapo assured international investors that Mozambique remains a land of immense opportunity and reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining legal stability for large projects in the country.
Neighboring South Africa has called for urgent dialogue between Mozambique’s political factions and has offered to facilitate peace talks. Chapo, however, plans to initiate discussions with political leaders, including Mondlane, only after his inauguration. He remains focused on restoring peace, tackling the economic crisis, and ensuring stability for ongoing projects.
As Mozambique faces an economic downturn and political unrest, Chapo’s presidency marks a critical moment for the country. His efforts to reconcile and stabilize the nation will be closely watched, especially by international investors and businesses operating in Mozambique’s lucrative natural gas and mining sectors.
