- Maputo paralysed by protests over election results
- Margarida Talapa elected Speaker of Parliament
By Noémia Mendes and Ricardo Dias
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Members of Parliament (MPs) were sworn in this Monday in Maputo, officially marking the beginning of a new five-year legislative term.
MPs from the traditional opposition parties, Renamo and the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), boycotted the swearing-in ceremony in protest against the fraudulent election results.
Despite the boycott, the new parliament retains the quorum required to take decisions. The ruling Frelimo party holds 171 seats, while PODEMOS has 43 MPs. Between them, these account for over 85% of the 250 seats in Mozambique’s parliament. PODEMOS, formed by dissidents of Frelimo, is entering parliament for the first time.
Opposition MPs who did not attend the swearing-in session still have the opportunity to take their oaths in the coming 30 days. If they do not, they will lose their seats.
Daniel Chapo, the president-elect set to be inaugurated this coming Wednesday, attended the parliamentary session and told journalists that he hopes for collaboration from all MPs, including those from the opposition who were absent from the ceremony.
“As you know, besides the Frelimo party, we also have PODEMOS, Renamo, and MDM. All these parties or parliamentary groups represent the aspirations of the Mozambican people. Therefore, it is crucial to have open and honest debates within this body, as this will allow us to pass laws that genuinely reflect the interests of all Mozambicans,” said Chapo.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, MPs elected Margarida Talapa as Speaker of Parliament with 169 votes. Talapa, a Frelimo MP and former Minister of Labour, becomes the second-highest-ranking official in the state, automatically standing in for the Head of State in cases of absence or incapacity.
Outside parliament, Maputo is engulfed in a wave of popular protests that have brought the city to a standstill. The demonstrations, led by opposition presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, contest the election results.
From as early as 7 a.m., several access roads to the capital were blocked. Public transport between residential neighbourhoods and the city centre was unavailable, and major banks announced the closure of their branches due to fears of vandalism. Shops have also remained shuttered.
The inauguration of the president-elect, scheduled for this Wednesday, may also take place amid ongoing public demonstrations.
“We are confident that the state is making all necessary preparations to ensure that the inauguration ceremony proceeds without incident,” Chapo told reporters. (NM/RD)
