The highest court in the southern African country validated on Monday the definitive victory of the historic ruling party, while the main opposition leader has promised "chaos" if this scenario is confirmed.
Mozambique’s Constitutional Council confirmed on Monday the contested results of the general elections held on October 9, which gave victory to the ruling party, Frelimo, with 65.17% of the votes, and its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo.
The president of the Council, Lucia da Luz Ribeiro, announced the official election results at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Center in Maputo. She declared Daniel Francisco Chapo as President of the Republic of Mozambique, despite two months of protests and the opposition's challenges to the election results.
On October 24, the National Electoral Commission (CNE) declared the victory of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) in the country's seventh presidential and legislative elections and fourth provincial elections. The ruling party’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, was elected with 70.67% of the vote.
Immediately after the CNE announced the disputed election results, protests and strikes erupted across the country, escalating into violent clashes with police.
The unprecedented post-election unrest has already resulted in more than a hundred deaths and may intensify following an ultimatum issued by Venancio Mondlane, who claims victory and accuses the ruling party of electoral fraud.
The Constitutional Council's decision will lead to "either peace or chaos," he warned, calling for a "new, unprecedented popular uprising." On Monday evening, he reiterated that Mozambicans demand "electoral truth."
"We must continue the fight, remain united and strong," he urged on Facebook.
