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Find Out Which Countries Didn’t Wait for the Constitutional Council to Congratulate Daniel Chapo

Find Out Which Countries Didn’t Wait for the Constitutional Council to Congratulate Daniel Chapo

This Monday 17th December, the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Brahim Gali, congratulated Daniel Chapo on his victory in the 9th October general elections, joining the short list of countries that have already sent messages of congratulations to the Mozambican President-elect, ahead of the official validation of the results by the Constitutional Council scheduled for 23rd December

In his message, Brahim Gali expressed his willingness to work with the Mozambican government to strengthen the bonds of friendship, cooperation and solidarity between the two states. He also praised Frelimo for its commitment to the values of freedom and democracy, highlighting the party’s historic role in supporting just causes.

With this statement, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic joins South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Tanzania, Libya, Cuba, China and Venezuela on the list of countries that have already congratulated Daniel Chapo. These expressions of support come in a delicate political context in Mozambique, marked by protests and social tensions triggered by the opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane’s contestation of the election results.

Among the countries that have congratulated Chapo, many have close bilateral relations and strategic interests in Mozambique. South Africa, for example, emphasised ‘the importance of the historic partnership’ with the country, while Angola and Tanzania reaffirmed the importance of cooperation within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and regional integration. China, Libya and Cuba emphasised ‘the depth of their historic ties and promised to strengthen their efforts at economic and political collaboration’.

Meanwhile, countries traditionally aligned with Mozambique, such as Russia and North Korea, have yet to publicly congratulate Daniel Chapo on his victory. Both countries have long-standing relations with Mozambique, dating back to the Cold War period, when they supported the country in various aspects, including military training and economic co-operation. The silence of these nations can be seen as a cautious attitude or as part of a strategic approach to await the official outcome of the electoral process.

On the other hand, consolidated democracies such as Portugal, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France have not issued congratulatory statements either. This silence reflects a cautious approach common among countries that value transparent and widely accepted electoral processes. Portugal, for example, with strong historical and cultural ties to Mozambique, generally waits for the official validation of the results before making a statement, respecting democratic principles and the rule of law.

In the US, one of the biggest global advocates of free and fair elections, the recognition of elected governments often depends on verifying compliance with international standards, especially in situations of electoral contestation. The UK, also known for its consolidated democratic tradition, has adopted similar stances in controversial electoral processes. France, Mozambique’s other European ally, is also in the habit of waiting for legal and institutional procedures to be finalised before issuing formal declarations.

This difference in approach between large democracies, aligned countries and others that have congratulated Daniel Chapo highlights the diversity of interests and values in the international community. While some states prioritise stability and bilateral relations, others choose to reinforce democratic values and respect for institutional processes.

The controversy surrounding the elections is central to the current political situation in Mozambique. In October, the National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced the victory of Daniel Chapo, supported by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), the party in power since 1975, with 70.67 per cent of the vote. However, these results were widely contested by the main opposition candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, who is leading a popular protest movement that has been going on for more than 30 days.

Since 21 October, Mozambique has been the scene of frequent demonstrations and stoppages, often marked by clashes between protesters and security forces. According to the Decide Electoral Platform, the clashes have resulted in at least 130 deaths and 385 firearm injuries. Tensions have intensified in recent weeks, with Mondlane declaring that the Constitutional Council’s decision will be crucial in determining whether the country moves towards peace or faces an escalation of political and social chaos.

With the official validation of the results scheduled for 23 December, Mozambique’s political future remains uncertain. The international community is watching closely, recognising both the country’s geopolitical importance and the challenges of democratic consolidation. This critical moment will mark not only the legitimacy of the next government, but also the direction of the country’s democratic institutions.

Text: Felisberto Ruco

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