Mozambique appoints a new president amid a whirlwind of protests

Mozambique's president-elect faces the swearing-in of office on Wednesday, more than three months after the disputed elections.

Daniel Chapo, 48, received 65% of the votes in the poll Opposition leaders, election observers and the general public said it had been manipulated.

The result sparked a wave of demonstrations – some peaceful, others violent – ​​leading to chaos, including murder and vandalism.

Chapo's biggest rival is Venancio Mondlane. Last week, he returned from self-imposed exile. He spent some time in South Africa, where he says he survived an assassination attempt.

He is now calling on Mozambicans to take to the streets again on Inauguration Day “against the thieves of the people.”

Both of Mozambique's main opposition parties – Renamo and the Movement for Democratic Movement – say they will boycott Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony because they also do not recognize Chapo as the rightful winner.

Even those in Mozambique who wish the president-elect well openly question his legitimacy.

Civil society activist Myrna Chitsongo told the BBC: “Chapo is someone I admire greatly.”

“I have worked with him for four years – I am aware of his willingness to act, his openness to dialogue, and his willingness to follow up on civil society recommendations on the ground.

He added, “But he assumes illegitimate power. This stems from a rigged electoral process… He assumes power in a context in which the people do not accept him.”

In addition to winning the support of a hostile public, Chapo will also have to achieve the economic transformation and stop corruption that he promised during his election campaign.

“Chapo will face many enemies because Mozambique appears to be run by cartels, including book cartels, a drug cartel, a sugar cartel, a drug cartel, a kidnapping cartel, and mafia groups,” says analyst and investigative journalist Louis Nahanchot.

He adds: “He needs a strong team of experts, ready to join him in this campaign to precisely dismantle the groups.”

“But first he must calm the Mozambicans down and do everything in his power to restore peace in the country.”

Daniel Francisco Chapo was born on January 6, 1977 in a place called Inhaminga, Sofala Province, the sixth of 10 siblings. These were the years of civil war in Mozambique, and armed conflict forced his family to move to another nearby area.

His high school education in the coastal city of Beira was followed by a law degree from the Eduardo Mondlane University and a master's degree in development management from the Catholic University of Mozambique.

He is now married to Joetta Sulaiman Chapo, with whom he has three children. Chapo is also said to be a church-going Christian and passionate about basketball and football.

Many current and former colleagues describe Chapo as humble, hardworking and a patient leader.

Before becoming the presidential candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, he worked as a radio and television broadcaster, a legal notary, a university lecturer, and a regional governor before rising to the position of Secretary-General of Frelimo.

Speaking during his recent birthday celebrations, Chapo himself acknowledged the enormous challenge that awaits him as president.

“We must restore our country economically. It is easy to destroy, but building is not an easy task.”

He added that national reconciliation, creating more job opportunities, reforming the electoral law, and achieving decentralization of power are at the top of his agenda.

But how successful can he be without the country behind him?

At the very least, he would represent a change from outgoing President Filipe Nyusi, whom Ms. Chitsongo says many Mozambicans will be happy to see.

“Chapo is a character of dialogue and agreement, not a character who perpetuates Nyusi's violent style of rule. He has the ability to negotiate with Mondlane.

“Although Chapo may not fully meet all of Mondelein’s demands, I believe he can meet at least 50% of them,” Ms. Chitsongo adds.

Mondlane – a part-time pastor and independent candidate who insists he is the real winner at the polls – is reportedly staying at a D.C. hotel. It is not known what security protection he enjoys there, nor who pays for it.

It is alleged that last week, while touring a market in Maputo, a vendor was shot in his vicinity, Echoing the killing of two of his close aides in October.

As the mastermind of nationwide protests against disputed election results, he has come to be seen by many as the voice of the voiceless. However, at present, the president-elect's camp is not engaging with him openly.

However, listening to the public's complaints and demands, and sometimes ignoring the orders of the ruling Frelimo party, will be key to Chapo's success, analysts told the BBC.

It seems that finding some way to deal constructively with Mondlane will undoubtedly provide a huge boost.

Winning public support may require Chapo to say no to “large elite salaries and fringe benefits, some of which are 10 times higher than Mozambique’s minimum wage,” Nahachot says.

In addition, if Chapo is to have any chance of ending the broader political crisis, he will need support from others to bring about lasting structural change, say prominent cleric the Rev. Anastasio Chimpes.

“Perhaps we should remain skeptical that one person can solve the challenges Mozambique faces – change must start from within the system itself.

He added: “We must strive for the separation of powers within the state apparatus. International monopolies have great interests in the country, and we have serious moral issues within the political elites that must be addressed.”

Analysts told the BBC that once in office, Chapo advised the dismissal of the country's police chief, Bernadino Rafael. He denies any wrongdoing, but some consider him the mastermind of the brutal response to the post-election protests.

They say they want to replace him with a successor who “respects human rights” and follows legal and international standards. Another suggestion put forward by analysts is the appointment of a new public prosecutor.

It is worth noting that Chapo will be the first president of Mozambique who did not participate in the war of independence.

“He is part of the new generation,” says Mr. Nahachot. “Part of his background is completely different from his ancestors – he was born in a country they liberated.”

He added, “If he wants to leave a real mark on history, he must challenge the symbols of the past. If he is unable to do that, I am sure he will only run for one term.”