Daniel Chapo was officially sworn in as Mozambique’s fifth president on Wednesday, more than three months after the country’s contentious elections.
Chapo, 48, took his oath of office in Maputo from Constitutional Council president Lúcia Ribeiro on Wednesday, becoming Mozambique’s youngest president.
According to Radio Mozambique, the ceremony was attended by two African leaders, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and and Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who currently chairs the regional Southern African Development Community, was represented by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri. Mnangagwa is on his annual leave.
Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who returned from self-imposed exile last Thursday, has rejected the outcome of the presidential election, held simultaneously with polls for parliamentary and provincial assembly deputies on October 9 last year.
He has led protests since October and on Monday promised to “paralyze” the country after Chapo’s inauguration.
The inauguration comes amidst a backdrop of political unrest and violence that has claimed over 300 lives, according to a local civil society group.
In response, Chapo has called for stability and unity, telling journalists at the national assembly on Monday that his administration would aim for collective efforts to develop the country.
“We can continue to work and together, united… to develop our country,” Chapo said.
JN/APA