The president of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, on Thursday promised to “work with everyone” in his new term in office, saying that in politics “there are no enemies”, only “adversaries“.
“We are going to work with everyone, because we are all brothers (…), hence the need for all of us to work to consolidate peace, to consolidate national reconciliation and, above all, to put this need for forgiveness and reconciliation in the hearts of all Mozambicans,” said Daniel Chapo, as he took part today in Maputo in the service that brought together various religions entitled “Repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation: Praying for Mozambique”.
“In politics there are no enemies, there are only adversaries,” said Chapo as he spoke at the end of the service, organised by the Council of Religions of Mozambique, stressing “hope” for the times ahead and guaranteeing that he will continue the dialogue with the opposition parties in the post-election period started by the previous president, Filipe Nyusi.
“We are going to continue this dialogue and we are absolutely certain that we will find consensus and mechanisms to stabilise the country as soon as possible,” said Chapo.
“We are going to continue working to achieve peace, economic, political and social stability in the country, and above all national reconciliation. These are important foundations for our development,” he concluded.
This was Daniel Chapo’s first official event as Mozambique’s fifth president after Wednesday’s inauguration ceremony.
“We think it’s a blessing to start the first day of work leading this country for the next five years with this interfaith service, where our religious leaders are here to bless us,” he concluded.
On 23 December, Chapo, 48, was proclaimed by the Constitutional Council (CC) as the winner of the election for president, with 65.17% of the votes, in the general elections of 9 October, which included legislative and for provincial assemblies, which Frelimo also won.
Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognise the election results, has called for protests and the election of Daniel Chapo has been contested on the streets since October, with protesters demanding the ‘restoration of electoral truth’. Clashes with the police have caused more than 300 deaths and 600 injuries, according to the electoral platform Decide, a non-governmental organisation.
Lusa
