The campaign for Mozambique’s forthcoming general elections has started on Saturday.
The citizens will vote for the president, members of parliament, and regional authorities in the election scheduled for October 9.
The election is particularly significant as President Filipe Nyusi, who is currently in office, is ineligible to run for another term.
The ruling party, Frelimo, which has maintained power in every national election since the end of Mozambique’s civil war with the opposition group Renamo, is fielding Daniel Chapo, a 47-year-old provincial governor, as its candidate for president.
Chapo will be facing off against Renamo’s Ossufo Momade, 63, along with other candidates from opposition parties.
The electoral campaign is expected to be intense, especially following recent protests over the results of local elections in which allegations of fraud were made by Renamo against Frelimo.
The Electoral Commission has urged all candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully, emphasizing the importance of avoiding violence and incitement.
Mozambique’s past has been marked by conflict, particularly the civil war between Renamo and Frelimo, which ended in 1992 and resulted in significant loss of life and economic devastation.
The country continues to face challenges, ranking seventh from the bottom on the Human Development Index.
The upcoming election will not only determine political leadership but also potentially influence the country’s trajectory as it seeks stability and development.
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