Mozambique's main opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, has told the BBC that he is ready to serve in government if President Daniel Chapo meets his demands to end the political crisis that has hit the country in the wake of disputed elections.
Chapo said he had formed a team to “study” whether his rival should be invited to join a new “inclusive” government.
The two men outlined their positions in separate interviews with the BBC, giving the impression that they were open to rapprochement after about 300 people were killed in the post-election unrest.
Mondlane rejected his defeat in the October elections, saying that the result was fraudulent, which Chapo denied.
The highest court in Mozambique announced that Chapo had won with 65% of the votes, compared to 24% for Mondlane.
Chapo was the candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, as his predecessor, Filipe Nyusi, was forced to step down after serving two terms in office.
Chapo was officially sworn in as president on January 15, about a week after Mondlane inaugurated him to declare himself “the people's president.”
Mondlane told the BBC that Chapo was “forced” by the nation and was “head of the defense force.”
Mondelein said that he had nevertheless decided to suspend the protests during the first 100 days of his rival’s term on the condition that he do the following:
- – Unconditionally releasing about 5,000 people detained for participating in demonstrations against the election results.
- Pay financial compensation to the families of people killed by police during the protests
- Providing free medical treatment to about 200 people injured by the police.
Mondlane said that if Chapo agreed, he would “open a window” for negotiations or call on his supporters to renew protests.
When asked if he was ready to work in Chapo's government, Mondlane replied: “Yes, if he has a real interest in working with me. He has a chance to invite me to the dialogue table.”
In his interview with the BBC, Chapo said he wanted to “govern in an inclusive way” and introduce reforms to address concerns about electoral law, human rights and freedom of expression.
He added that talks are currently taking place with the opposition parties represented in the new parliament, and will be expanded later to include “all segments of society.”
Chapo added that he wants to form a government that is “open to all Mozambicans,” but wanted to stress that “the image of the people is very important.”
Asked whether he believed Mondlane was qualified to work in government, Chapo replied: “It will depend… because there is a group now thinking about it, based on the image of the people, their competencies, their merit, their patriotism – everything.” These are the prerequisites I am referring to.
“If the team comes to the conclusion that these people have the right profile, they will be part of the government. And those who don't have that profile, they won't participate.”
The Frelimo party, which has been in power since independence 49 years ago, chose Chapo (47 years old) as its candidate to mobilize young voters affected by high unemployment rates and fed up with the party's decades-long rule.
He told the BBC that he wanted to increase domestic and foreign investment in Mozambique in order to make the economy “more dynamic.”
This would help create job opportunities for young people so they can “build their homes, raise their families, and achieve stability in their lives.”
Mondlane (50 years old) enjoys great support among young people after he mobilized them during the election campaign under the slogan “Save Mozambique – this country is ours.”
He ran in the elections as an independent after defecting from the main opposition party, Renamo.
A small party that supported his candidacy won some parliamentary seats in the elections.
