Daniel Chapo was sworn in as the President of Mozambique on Wednesday during a ceremony in Maputo, following months of post-election unrest that resulted in more than 300 deaths, according to a local NGO.
The newly elected president of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, was inaugurated in a capital heavily secured by police after months of deadly post-election protests. On Wednesday, the main opposition leader called for continued demonstrations, urging the population to "paralyze" the country.
"I, Daniel Francisco Chapo, solemnly swear on my honor to uphold and enforce the Constitution and to faithfully fulfill the duties of President of the Republic of Mozambique," declared the ruling party official, whose party has governed this southern African nation for half a century.
At Independence Square in Maputo, under the watchful eyes of security helicopters and aircraft, Daniel Chapo, who leads the party that has ruled the country for fifty years, pledged to "faithfully fulfill the duties of President of the Republic" for the next five years.
Meanwhile, seven people were killed in protests, according to the local NGO Plataforma Decide, which reported these fatalities in the capital Maputo and the northern city of Nampula.
In his inaugural speech, the first president born after Mozambique’s independence in 1975 did not explicitly mention the violence. However, during a moment of silence for the 120 victims of Cyclone Chido, he included "those who, throughout this period, have lost their lives, been injured, or suffered irreparable losses."
"United, we can overcome obstacles and turn our pain into prosperity," he proclaimed.
The new president's first mission will be to find a way out of the crisis and restore stability in his impoverished and unequal country.
