Mozambique is currently in the midst of a general election, with over 16 million registered voters gearing up to make their voices heard. The ruling Frelimo party, entrenched in power for the last fifty years, is anticipated to hold onto its dominance. President Filipe Nyusi, who is stepping down after reaching his term limit, was among the first to cast his vote when polling stations opened at 7:00 AM local time (5:00 AM GMT).
The party’s presidential candidate, 47-year-old Daniel Chapo, was relatively unknown prior to his nomination, but he aims to position himself as a catalyst for change. He is up against independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane, Ossufo Momade from the main opposition Renamo party, and Lutero Simango from the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM).
This election is seen as a significant turning point for Mozambique, as it marks the first time a Frelimo candidate did not fight in the independence war. Chapo, born two years after Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975, is viewed by many as a new face free from the party’s legacy of corruption scandals.
As he cast his vote in Maputo, where early voters braved rainy weather, Nyusi called for patience from the electorate and emphasized the need for a peaceful voting environment. “I would also ask that no group of citizens agitates or threatens others, that everything happens in peace and tranquility, and that we avoid announcing the results ahead of time,” urged the 65-year-old outgoing president.
Younger voters, like 22-year-old Augusto Ndeve Pais, are expressing optimism about the future. He shared, “People my age are worried about the future of our country, so I think they will vote,” reflecting the broader sentiments among young citizens.
Analysts believe that the next president will face a daunting challenge: creating economic opportunities in a nation where 62% of the population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day. Mozambique has been trying to recover from the aftermath of a civil war that lasted from 1976 to 1992 and initially had high hopes for economic growth following the discovery of significant gas reserves in the north. However, these prospects have been dimmed by the rise of an Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado and its negative impact on lucrative liquefied natural gas projects.
Ballot counting will begin once polls close at 6:00 PM local time, with official results anticipated to be released in about two weeks.
