Mozambique gears for general elections in October

Mozambique is scheduled to hold general elections on 9 October this year. It’s the first time the ruling party Frelimo is experiencing a tough contest from the opposition.

The party has fielded a young candidate with the hope of attracting younger voters.

Daniel Chapo has brought his campaign to South Africa where Mozambicans in the diaspora are expected to vote in the coming elections.

Chapo served as a governor of Inhambane province from 2016 to 2024.

The 47-year-old former radio presenter was in South Africa to garner support from his fellow men and women in the diaspora.

Mozambique elections | Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo brings his campaign to South Africa

Frelimo has a strong relationship with the African National Congress (ANC) and the party has lent its support to Chapo.

Having suffered a setback in relation to the 2024 national elections, the ANC’s secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has a word of advice for a fellow liberation movement on the African continent.

“We have to listen to the voices of our people and understand them correctly, in that way we know that the liberation struggle will be defended,” says Mbalula.

The ANC says it will turn the tide.

Chapo believes his party will perform well. “We have a big challenge in Mozambique, we are working to make our campaign … is 45 days. We know that ANC is our party … in South Africa. That is why the President of South Africa and the ANC said we will be free.”

The party has been in power for nearly 50 years.

“We have the challenge that is why it is important to be together, to be closer [and] to be united to talk about our challenges.”

Frelimo is not only a liberation organisation that will be contesting elections this year, South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) of Namibia and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) of Botswana are also hopeful to win elections this year in their respective countries.