Mozambique is gearing up for presidential elections as the nation grapples with a jihadist insurgency in the oil- and gas-rich northern province of Cabo Delgado. The upcoming elections will see close to 17 million voters casting their ballots for the next president, alongside 250 members of parliament and provincial assemblies on Wednesday.
The incumbent president, Filipe Nyusi, is ineligible to run for a third term after serving two terms in office. The main focus of the election campaigns has been on addressing the violence in Cabo Delgado, where an Islamic State-affiliated group has been carrying out attacks since 2017, leading to widespread displacement and destruction.
The leading candidates have pledged to prioritize restoring peace in the region, although specific plans to end the insurgency have not been detailed. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), which has been in power since independence in 1975, is expected to secure victory once again.
Issues of corruption, poverty, and development have also featured prominently in the campaigns. High levels of unemployment, severe food shortages due to drought, and past corruption scandals, such as the 'tuna bond' scandal, have further compounded the challenges facing the country.
The Southern African Development Community has deployed a delegation of 52 election observers to ensure the impartiality of the electoral process. Concerns over vote-rigging and electoral fraud have been raised following previous local elections marred by allegations of irregularities.
As Mozambique prepares to elect its new leader, the incoming president will inherit a nation grappling with multiple crises, including ongoing conflict, economic challenges, and social unrest. The outcome of the elections will have far-reaching implications for the future trajectory of the country.
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