Mozambique votes in pivotal election, ruling Frelimo party poised to retain power

Mozambicans are casting their votes in a highly anticipated general election, with the ruling Frelimo party, which has governed for nearly 50 years, poised to retain power. President Filipe Nyusi, who has reached the constitutional two-term limit, was among the early voters when polls opened at 7 a.m. local time (5 a.m. GMT). His departure marks a significant shift, as the southern African nation prepares for a new leader amidst ongoing challenges.

Daniel Chapo, Frelimo’s 47-year-old presidential candidate, is a relatively new figure on the political stage. Until his nomination, Chapo was little known, but he has positioned himself as an agent of change for a party that has been synonymous with Mozambique’s political landscape since independence from Portugal in 1975. This election is seen as a historic moment because Chapo is the first Frelimo candidate who did not fight in the country’s war for independence.

Chapo faces competition from a diverse field of rivals, including independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane, Ossufo Momade—leader of the main opposition party Renamo and a former rebel commander—and Lutero Simango from the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM). Renamo has long been Frelimo’s main opposition and fought against the ruling party during a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992. While peace was achieved, political tension between the two parties has continued to simmer over the years.

For Chapo, winning this election may hinge on his ability to distance himself from Frelimo’s history of corruption scandals. Born two years after independence, Chapo is seen as untainted by the party’s past misdeeds, a quality that resonates with younger voters. He has presented himself as a forward-looking candidate who will address Mozambique’s pressing issues, including economic growth, job creation, and reducing poverty.

More than 16 million people are registered to vote in this election, which analysts say could be a turning point for the nation. Young voters like 22-year-old Augusto Ndeve Pais reflect the mood of a generation hoping for change. “I feel hopeful,” Pais told Reuters as he waited to vote. “People my age are worried about the future of our country, so I think they will vote.”

The challenges awaiting the next president are significant. Mozambique remains one of the world’s poorest countries, with more than 62% of the population living on less than $1.90 a day, according to the World Bank. The country’s economy, which had shown potential for growth following the discovery of substantial natural gas deposits in the northern Cabo Delgado province, has been hampered by an Islamist insurgency. The conflict, which erupted in 2017, has devastated the region, leading to the deployment of Rwandan and South African troops to curb the violence. Despite these efforts, major liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the area have yet to resume, stalling economic progress.

For many Mozambicans, the election represents not just a change in leadership but a moment of reckoning for the future of their country. The new president will need to navigate a complex landscape of economic uncertainty, political division, and security concerns while delivering on the hopes of a generation longing for opportunity.