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Mozambique’s main opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane has told the BBC he is ready to serve in government if President Daniel Chapo meets his demands to end the political crisis that has gripped the country after disputed elections.
Chapo said he had created a group that was “considering” whether to invite his rival to join a new “inclusive” government.
Both men explained their positions in interviews with the BBC, appearing to be open to rapprochement after around 300 people were killed in the post-election riots.
Mondlan dismissed his defeat in the October election, saying the result was rigged, something Chapo denied.
Mozambique’s highest court declared Chapo the winner with 65% of the vote to Mondlane’s 24%.
Chapo was the candidate of the governing Frelimo party, after his predecessor, Filipe Nyusi, had to step down after two terms.
Chapo officially became president on January 15, a week after Mondlan inaugurated himself as “president of the people”.
Mondlan told the BBC that Chapo was “obliged” by the nation, and that he was “the president of the defense forces”.
Mondlan said, however, that he decided to suspend the protests during the first 100 days of his rival’s term because he had:
- unconditionally release around 5,000 people arrested for participating in demonstrations against the election results
- payment of financial compensation to the families of people killed by the police during the protests and
- provide free medical treatment for about 200 people injured by the police.
Mondlan said that if Chapo accepted this, he would “open a window” for negotiations, or else he would call on his supporters to renew their protests.
Asked if he was willing to work in Chapo’s government, Mondlan replied: “Yes, if he is really interested in working with me. He has the option of inviting me to the negotiating table.”
In an interview with the BBC, Chapo said he wants to “govern in an inclusive way” and introduce reforms to address concerns about electoral law, human rights and freedom of expression.
He said that they are holding talks with the opposition parties represented in the new parliament, and then they will open up to “all sections of society”.
Chapo added that he wants to form a government that is “open to all Mozambicans”, but he wanted to emphasize that “the profile of the people is very important”.
When asked if Mondlane is able to serve in the government, Chapo replied: “It will depend… because there is a group that is considering right now, the profile of the people, their abilities, meritocracy, patriotism – all these prerequisites that I mentioned.
“If the group concludes that these people have the right profile, they will be part of the government. Those who do not have that profile will not participate.”
At the age of 47, Chapo was chosen by Frelimo, which has been in power since independence 49 years ago, as a candidate to rally young voters affected by high unemployment and fed up with the party’s decades of rule.
He told the BBC that he wants both local and foreign investment to increase in Mozambique to “stimulate” the economy.
This would help to create jobs for young people, so that they can “build houses, establish families and stabilize their lives”.
Mondlan, 50, was found to have strong support among young people after joining the slogan “Save Mozambique – our country” during the election campaign.
He contested as an independent poll after falling out with the main opposition Renamo party.
A small party that supported his candidacy won some parliamentary seats in the elections.
