Mozambique's Constitutional Council has officially confirmed Daniel Francisco Chapo as the winner of the contested October presidential election, with 65.17% of the votes. Despite acknowledging some irregularities, the Council determined these did not materially affect the outcome.
The announcement, delivered by Council President Lucia da Luz Ribeiro, has sparked protests and violence across the country. Opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who received 24.29% of the vote, has denounced the results, accusing the ruling Frelimo party of electoral fraud.
The situation has turned violent, with demonstrators in the capital Maputo burning tires and blocking roads. According to reports, over 100 people have lost their lives in election-related clashes. One protester, Cláudio Cumbe, described a scene of government oppression, saying protesters were being shot at while trying to voice their concerns about the national situation.
Tensions continue to escalate as Mondlane has called for a nationwide "shutdown" beginning Friday, raising fears of increased instability. The election results extend Frelimo's grip on power, which has remained unbroken since Mozambique gained independence in 1975.
The Constitutional Council's decision comes amid mounting pressure from opposition supporters who reject the electoral process's legitimacy. However, the Council maintains that while there were some irregularities in the election, these were not significant enough to invalidate Chapo's victory, setting the stage for what could be a prolonged period of political unrest.