Mozambique's Constitutional Council has upheld the victory of the ruling party Frelimo in the October election, a decision that has triggered widespread protests by opposition groups alleging electoral fraud. Frelimo, which has been in power since 1975, saw its victory confirmed by the highest court in the country, despite concerns raised by Western observers about the fairness of the election.
The post-election period has been marked by significant unrest, with protests erupting in various parts of the country. Civil society groups report that at least 130 people have lost their lives in clashes with security forces. The announcement of Frelimo's victory led to further demonstrations, including in the capital Maputo and the city of Nacala-Porto.
While the electoral commission initially reported a higher percentage of votes for Frelimo's candidate, the Constitutional Council's final tally showed a lower figure. The opposition has consistently accused Frelimo of rigging elections, a claim that the ruling party has denied. The electoral commission has not addressed the allegations of fraud in this election.
Frelimo's candidate, Daniel Chapo, who was declared the president-elect, pledged to work towards improving the lives of Mozambicans. However, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane's representative rejected the election results, stating that the will of the people had been disregarded.
The unrest following the election has had broader implications, impacting the operations of foreign companies in Mozambique and leading to the temporary closure of the main border crossing with South Africa. The International Monetary Fund has revised its economic growth forecast for Mozambique, anticipating a slowdown in 2024 due to the ongoing unrest and the aftermath of Cyclone Chido.
