Mozambique’s new president Daniel Chapo took the oath of office Wednesday in front of a heavily guarded audience of dignitaries in the capital Maputo following weeks of violent demonstrations over the fiercely disputed election results.
Chapo, 48, extends his Frelimo party’s 50-year rule of the gas-rich African nation amid claims by opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane that the vote was rigged, which sparked unrest that an NGO says has left more than 300 dead.
Taking the oath, Chapo vowed “to devote all my energies to defending, promoting and consolidating national unity, human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people”.
