Mozambique’s Frelimo party gathered around 4,000 people for a final rally ahead of elections Wednesday when it is likely to maintain a firm grip on power, although with a change of president.
Sunday’s rally outside the capital Maputo was a sea of red, the colours of the socialist party that has governed the impoverished Indian Ocean country since independence from Portugal in 1975.
“We have no doubt, we are going to win!” declared outgoing president Filipe Nyusi, who has reached the end of a two-term limit, standing alongside his designated successor, Daniel Chapo.
“I trust Chapo,” he said of the previously low-profile provincial governor who was Frelimo’s surprise choice of candidate. “He will do things that I didn’t manage to do,” the 65-year-old said.
“He will build schools and roads and other infrastructure that the other candidates would not do.”
More than 17 million people are registered to vote for the president, parliament and provincial governors, all currently headed by Frelimo, the group that led the war for independence.
– End ‘terrorism’ –
Addressing one of the major concerns of Mozambique today, Chapo said Frelimo was determined to end the jihadist attacks that have been plaguing the northernmost gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since 2017.
“We will continue to work so Mozambique stays a country of peace, including in Cabo Delgado,” he said. “We want to continue fighting against terrorism.”
Violence from armed jihadist groups affiliated to the Islamic State group has paralysed a natural gas project in the area since 2021, stalling an economic boost that the impoverished country of 33 million people craves.
Among the Frelimo crowd was Filipe Cossa, 27, who said he had been brought in on a party bus from an area about 15 kilometres (nine miles) away.
“They were handing out the shirts and asking people to get in the bus to go to the rally,” he told AFP. “I am hoping for many different things, for change,” he said.
“With this new president we are going to see good, new changes,” said Ana Sumbani, 60, who has been a party supporter her whole life.
“Frelimo is the liberation party of our country,” she said.
The main opposition Renamo — an anti-communist group that fought Frelimo in the civil war — wrapped up campaigning Sunday with its leader repeating widespread allegations that vote-rigging had kept the rival party in power.
“We are appealing for a fair and clear election so that we don’t have conflict afterwards,” Ossufo Momade told his supporters dressed in the party’s blue and carrying brooms to symbolise the intention to sweep away corruption.
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