Africa-Press – Mozambique. The leader of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), Ossufo Momade, rejected yesterday the results of the October 9 general elections proclaimed by the Constitutional Council (CC), stating that he will mobilize the population to “save democracy.”
“We do not recognize the results, nor the supposed winner, much less the numbers attributed to his party. Renamo believes Mozambique deserves a legitimate government chosen by the people, not by a small group of individuals,” said Ossufo Momade after the proclamation of the electoral results by the CC President, Lúcia Ribeiro.
The CC proclaimed yesterday Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by Frelimo, as the winner of the presidential election with 65.17% of the votes, succeeding Filipe Nyusi.
“Daniel Francisco Chapo is proclaimed elected President of the Republic of Mozambique,” announced CC President Lúcia Ribeiro after one and a half hours of reading the proclamation ruling, during which she acknowledged irregularities in the electoral process but stated they “did not influence” the final result.
According to the results, Venâncio Mondlane obtained 24.19% of the votes, Ossufo Momade 6.62%, and Lutero Simango 4.02%.
In a press conference to react to the proclamation, Momade criticized the CC, stating that its ruling undermines the “popular will.” He claimed to have presented “evidence” and conclusive proof of irregularities that compromised the electoral process.
Among the evidence submitted by Renamo to the CC, Momade highlighted “violations of the Constitution of the Republic” during the election, including alleged forgery of results sheets, manipulation of voter rolls, and persecution of opposition members.
“These elements are not mere speculations but well-known facts that were not treated with due seriousness by the CC, creating future uncertainty for our democracy, political intolerance, and social and political stability,” he said.
“This ruling represents a disrespect for the people and a setback for our democracy. Renamo cannot, under any circumstances, accept this outcome or recognize any government emerging from these elections unless it is a transitional government,” Momade added.
The Renamo leader called on political parties, academics, and religious institutions to join what he described as the “defense of democracy,” emphasizing that the action must aim at upholding “electoral truth.”
“We will mobilize the people so that together we can fight to save democracy. What we want is democracy, and we will never allow it to be destroyed,” concluded Ossufo Momade.
While the CC’s proclamation ruling was being read, protesters supporting Venâncio Mondlane were already demonstrating in the streets, burning tires.
Post-election clashes have resulted in at least 130 deaths, according to the Electoral Platform Decide, which monitors electoral processes in Mozambique. The platform also recorded 385 people shot during these events.
The October 9 general elections included the seventh presidential election, in which the outgoing president, Filipe Nyusi, did not run after reaching the two-term limit. Legislative and elections for provincial assemblies and governors were held simultaneously.
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