Kashiri dispatched for Mozambique’s Chapo inauguration; 100 citizens shot dead so far
By Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has seconded conveniently dispatched Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, for Mozambique where she will represent him at the inauguration of President-elect Daniel Chapo this Wednesday.
The ceremony takes place at the Independence Square in the capital city Maputo before Members of the National Assembly, among other attendees.
The 82-year-old Zanu PF leader finds himself in an invidious position after he prematurely endorsed Chapo and his Frelimo party’s victory even before Mozambique’s electoral body had done so, a move that attracted widespread criticism from various stakeholders.
According to State media, Muchinguri-Kashiri is expected to be part of the Heads of State and Government witnessing the inauguration, which comes amidst bloody protests in the neighbouring country in the aftermath of a disputed outcome of the October 2024 elections.
Also from Zimbabwe, Pan African Parliament president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, is in Maputo, Mozambique, for the 49-year-old President-elect’s crowning event.
The atmosphere in Maputo is reportedly tense ahead of the event.
“The streets of Maputo are eerily deserted on the eve of Daniel Chapo’s inauguration as Mozambique’s 5th President. This calm is not by chance; opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane has called for a “stay-at-home” protest to overshadow the preparations for the swearing-in ceremony,” wrote a social media user, before attaching pictures of empty streets.
“However, this silence is also a product of fear. Security forces, including UIR and SERNIC, have been patrolling neighbourhoods, using tear gas and live ammunition to deter people from gathering or leaving their homes.
“In the city’s outskirts, an atmosphere of terror and intimidation looms, leaving communities trapped in fear,” the commentator further said.
Mozambique’s main opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane returned from exile last Thursday as security forces fired tear gas at hundreds of his supporters, who gathered near the main international airport to welcome him home.
More than 100 people have been killed by security forces since Mozambique erupted in protests that Mondlane called for after the long-ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner of the October 9 election.
Mondlane and other opposition candidates accused the ruling party of rigging the election and international observers reported irregularities in the vote and the alteration of some results.
Chapo garnered nearly 70 percent of the vote against his closest challenger, Mondlane who got 20 percent. He succeeded Felipe Nyusi who served two terms in office. Both belong to the ruling Frelimo party.
