Mozambique’s Constitutional Council on Monday upheld the ruling Frelimo party’s victory in the October elections, declaring Daniel Chapo as president-elect with about 65% of the vote. The announcement came amid widespread opposition protests over alleged vote rigging.
The court’s ruling, which is final, has intensified tensions in the southern African nation of nearly 35 million people. Opposition groups and Western observers have condemned the election as flawed, with allegations of irregularities fueling unrest.
At least 130 people have died in violent clashes between protesters and police since the elections, according to Plataforma Decide, a civil society monitoring group. Demonstrations were reported in the northern city of Nacala-Porto shortly after the announcement, while streets in the capital, Maputo, remained under heavy police patrol.
The court’s final tally revised the National Election Commission’s October results, lowering Chapo’s vote share from over 70% to 65% and reducing Frelimo’s parliamentary seats. No explanation was given for the discrepancies.
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who officially came second with about 24% of the vote, has rejected the results. His representative, Judite Simao, accused the authorities of suppressing the will of the people, calling the outcome a violation of electoral integrity.
Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since independence in 1975, has repeatedly faced accusations of electoral fraud. The electoral commission has not addressed the claims surrounding this election.
The unrest has disrupted economic activity, with the main border crossing to South Africa temporarily closed and operations of companies like Australian miner South32 affected.
