Mozambique’s Daniel Chapo sworn in as president amid ongoing unrest

Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo was on Wednesday sworn in as president of Mozambique amid a low turnout of African leaders and dignitaries after weeks of demonstrations against the country’s disputed October 2024 elections.

Chapo took his oath of office before Mozambican president of the Constitutional Council, Lúcia Ribeiro, in a sparsely attended inauguration ceremony in Independence Square in Maputo, according to a Reuters report.

“Our dialogue with the political forces will always be frank, honest and sincere. Political and social stability is our top priority,” Chapo told a group of about 1,500 supporters.

While Chapo was being sworn in, protesters gathered on the streets of the capital city, where they were met by a heavy police and military presence.

Mozambique's new president, Daniel Chapo (left), greets his predecessor, Filipe Nyusi, during his inauguration ceremony at Independence Square in Maputo on 15 January. (Photo: Luis Nhantumbo / EPA-EFE) 

“Maputo was like a war zone. Journalists were wearing military protection — helmets — because they were fearing for bullets,” the director of the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique and chairperson of the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, Professor Adriano Nuvunga, told Daily Maverick. He was describing the scenes unfolding near to where the inauguration was taking place.

“There were more police than participants attending the inauguration. It was empty,” said Nuvunga.

He said eight people were killed in clashes with police in Maputo on Wednesday.

Mozambique has been roiled by political unrest and disruptive protests following its elections on 9 October 2024, which were marred by accusations of vote rigging. Mozambican electoral authorities declared the ruling Frelimo party and Chapo as the victors, but opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane and his Podemos party insisted that Mondlane had won.

More than 300 people have been killed in clashes with security forces since the October polls, according to the local non-government organisation Plataforma Decide.

‘Peace, democracy and development’

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, were the only two heads of state attending Chapo’s subdued inauguration, according to a report by Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM).

Other regional leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) were represented at a lower level: Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera was represented by Vice-President Michael Usi, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was represented by his defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was represented by his foreign minister, Mulambo Haimbe.

Read in Daily Maverick: SADC mandates Panel of Elders to engage with Mozambique over post-election unrest

In a statement on Wednesday morning, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa would attend the inauguration ceremony in Maputo, together with International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the Inauguration of Daniel Chapo. (Photo: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS)

Magwenya said, “The inauguration of President-elect Chapo provides an opportunity for all the people of Mozambique to work together towards peace, democracy and development.

“President Ramaphosa is looking forward to working closely with President-elect Chapo in further strengthening the existing strong fraternal relations between the two countries, and looks forward to seeing Mozambicans come together in the spirit of unity and cooperation as they build a brighter future.”

ANC President, Cde Cyril Ramaphosa and delegation are in attendance at the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo Party in Mozambique#BuildingABetterAfrica #ThePeoplesMovement pic.twitter.com/corG8jDpyW

— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 15, 2025

‘Sham inauguration’

The ANC’s Government of National Unity (GNU) partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA) condemned Ramaphosa’s attendance at the inauguration together with Lamola and Ntshavheni.

The DA spokesperson on international relations and cooperation, Emma Powell, said ​​the move “disregards the escalating political and humanitarian crisis in Mozambique and undermines South Africa’s role as a champion of democracy and human rights in the region.

“Mozambique’s post-election protests are the largest in the country’s history and have destabilised the gas-rich nation, which is a critical player in regional economic development. Instead of standing with the Mozambican people who demand transparency and fairness, President Ramaphosa has now aligned South Africa with the ANC’s fraternal ally Frelimo at the expense of democracy.”

Last month, the DA complained that the ANC was “monopolising” South Africa’s foreign policy and contended that all parties in the power-sharing broad coalition should have a say in formulating foreign policy.

Read more in Daily Maverick: ANC is ‘monopolising’ SA’s foreign policy by sidelining the GNU, DA complains

Powell said the DA called on Ramaphosa to “urgently clarify South Africa’s position on Mozambique’s political crisis.

“South Africa should be leading efforts within the SADC to hold member states accountable to democratic norms and prioritise regional stability by supporting a transparent, inclusive process to resolve Mozambique’s electoral dispute.

“By attending this sham inauguration, Ramaphosa, Lamola and Ntshavheni not only fail Mozambique’s citizens, but once again call into question South Africa’s credibility on the international stage,” she said.

Beyond the power-sharing government, Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane, in a post on X, accused Ramaphosa of “making a mockery of democracy and democratic norms in SADC”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bosa acting spokesperson Roger Solomons said Ramaphosa’s attendance at Chapo’s inauguration “sends a dangerous message: that our country tolerates the suppression of democracy and the abuse of power in our region.

“Instead of advocating for democratic reforms and accountability in our neighbouring states, our government seems intent on endorsing the very forces responsible for this instability.”

SADC’s response

The Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network’s Nuvunga described the response from SADC to the political crisis in Mozambique as being “very poor”.

SADC leaders earlier this month instructed the bloc’s Panel of Elders to engage with the Mozambican government and key opposition leaders on the post-election unrest and report back to the chairperson of the SADC organ which deals with security crises in the region by 15 January.

The leaders also directed the Inter-State Defence and Security Committee “to propose measures to protect the regional trade routes, humanitarian corridors and energy supplies while finding solutions to the political and security challenges in the Republic of Mozambique,” according to the communiqué from the summit.

Nuvunga said it was clear that SADC had “no clear and coherent policy” on the political crisis in Mozambique.

“This is not a situation for the elders, it’s a situation for the region to [discuss] at its highest level, because if Mozambique fails, the entire region fails,” he said.

Daily Maverick contacted SADC with queries but had not received a response by the time of publication.

In response to questions from Daily Maverick on Wednesday evening, Magwenya said: “There’ll always be a difference in the approaches of those whose role is to criticise compared to those with a responsibility of leading and contributing solutions to situations that may seem intractable.

“President Ramaphosa recognises the strategic importance of Mozambique to South Africa’s socioeconomic and security interests. In that context, the President has the responsibility to ensure the strengthening of bilateral ties, which are important in sustaining political cooperation between South Africa and Mozambique. South Africa and Mozambique must work together in enhancing security and defence cooperation, focusing on effectively addressing transnational crimes that undermine national security.”

Magwenya said it is “vital” that South Africa and Mozambique “focus on boosting economic cooperation”.

“Instability in Mozambique impacts South Africa the most. Therefore, it’s important that we maintain a close relationship with Mozambique based on shared values and mutual benefits of a strong partnership.

“The inauguration of President Chapo provides an opportunity for all the people of Mozambique to work together towards peace, democracy and development. In that regard, President Ramaphosa is encouraged by President Chapo’s stated commitment to engage in dialogue with opposition parties. South Africa stands ready to partner with the government and the people of Mozambique in their pursuit of peace and development,” he said. DM

This article was updated on Thursday, 16 January at 9am.