Calls for “consolidating national unity” and advocates for a “frank” dialogue with the opposition to put an end to the crisis
Jan. 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The new president of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, was sworn in this Wednesday during an official ceremony in Independence Square in the country’s capital, Maputo, in which he highlighted that the country “begins a new era”, amid of the deep political crisis due to opposition complaints about fraud in the last elections.
“Today we begin together a new era for Mozambique,” he said during his inaugural speech, before emphasizing that he is committed to “consolidating national unity” and increasing “the well-being of Mozambicans”, thus materializing a transfer of powers from the hands of his predecessor, Filipe Nyusi.
Chapo has had words for “the memory of those who during this period have lost their lives, have been injured or have suffered irreparable losses”, in reference to the victims registered by the repression of the protests called by the opposition against his victory in the elections. urns.
“Mozambique is greater than any challenge, greater than any crisis. United we are capable of overcoming obstacles and transforming our pain into prosperity,” said the candidate of the governmental Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), in power since the independence of the country from Portugal in 1975.
In this sense, he has emphasized that today “a new phase begins” aimed at “consolidating the construction of a sovereign and prosperous nation” and has asserted that “special harmony cannot wait”, in a call for calm and a “frank, honest and sincere” dialogue with the opposition to put an end to the crisis.
“The dialogue has already begun and we will not rest until we have a united and cohesive country in the construction of well-being for all of us,” said Chapo, who has assured that this dialogue “has already begun,” despite the fact that the opposition insists on reject his victory and in his complaints about fraud to benefit Frelimo.
The new president has recognized that the country is “going through difficult times” and has argued that “the existing challenges cannot and should not be ignored.” “Many of our compatriots still sleep without at least a decent meal, which is painful,” he lamented, while describing the high level of unemployment as “worrying.”
“We heard your voices before and during the demonstrations and we will continue to listen,” he promised, before adding that the authorities will work to address insecurity, “many times with the complicity of those who should protect us,” and will confront “organized crime.” ” in the African country.
Furthermore, he has stated that his Government will increase “the quality of the judicial system.” “The courts will be at the service of the people with independence and efficiency,” said Chapo, who also noted that he will strive to achieve improvements in the health and education systems, which “will be a priority” for the new authorities.
FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
The Mozambican president has also put the fight against corruption, which he has described as “a disease that has corrupted the country”, among the main tasks that he will face, while regretting that these acts “take away the people’s resources.” . “This has to end,” he added.
“There will be no place in this Government that we are going to establish, nor in this country, for those who put their interests above the interests of the people,” he stated. “We will fight to the last consequences to defend the interests of the Mozambican people in all sectors, whether public or private,” he said.
Along these lines, he has stated that the authorities will work to “simplify and promote the private sector” with the aim of “opening the doors to economic growth for young people” and improving the situation of the population “in rural and urban areas, where basic products are out of reach for many families.
“We are going to implement policies that protect the most vulnerable and ensure that no one lives in poverty,” said Chapo, who has guaranteed that those who hold public office “have to be available to listen, serve and respond to concerns of the people”.
“We are here to serve, not to benefit. There will be no room for corruption,” he reiterated, before delving into the fact that the authorities “will have no hesitation” when it comes to punishing those responsible for acts of corruption, clientelism, incompetence, nepotism and “other vices of good conduct required of public servants.”
REDUCING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT
Chapo has also promised a reduction in the number of ministries to increase the efficiency of the authorities, a day after Nyusi announced the dismissal of the prime minister, Adriano Maleiane, and the rest of the portfolios in order to leave the formation in the hands of the new president. of the Executive.
“We are going to eliminate the figure of the vice minister,” he said, amid cheers from those gathered to see his inauguration. “A smaller government, but much more agile and efficient,” he argued, while emphasizing that this money will be allocated “to what matters”, citing among other fields education and health.
“With these changes, we intend to simplify the government machine and further reduce public expenses,” said Chapo, who has opted to “rationalize” these expenses so that “every penny invested directly serves the population.” “It is time to have a Government that respects the dream of the Mozambican people and uses every metical responsibly,” he reaffirmed.
In this way, he has reiterated that “the objective is to reduce the burden on the State budget and generate the recipe for investing in transparency”, while advocating for achieving “a cleaner, more efficient nation truly committed to the well-being of all.”
“We will roll up our sleeves and create opportunities that reach all Mozambicans, regardless of their political, religious or ethnic affiliation,” said Chapo, who noted that he will also work to reduce the “inequalities” suffered by women and girls in the African country. .
TAKING POSSESSION AMID PROTESTS
Chapo’s inauguration has taken place after months of mobilizations, called mainly by the opponent Venancio Mondlane, who came second in the elections, according to the official results, and who has proclaimed himself president, stating that the records he has prove his victory.
The repression of the security forces, criticized by the international community, has resulted to date in at least 303 deaths, as reported this Wednesday by the electoral platform Decide, a civil organization in the African country, through a published statement. in your account on the social network Facebook.
The organization has also indicated that the authorities have detained around 4,230 people and put the number of gunshot wounds at 620 in the demonstrations, which started immediately after the elections and intensified after the electoral commission confirmed Chapo’s victory.
In this context, the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Seif Magango, expressed his concern on Tuesday about the crisis in Mozambique and called on the authorities to respect the fundamental rights of those who are participating in the protests.
The electoral commission gave victory to Chapo in the elections of October 9, 2024 with 65 percent of the votes, well ahead of the 24 percent obtained by Mondlane, who claims to have won with 53 percent of the ballots. , although he has not presented data to support his claims.
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