Chapo addresses interfaith gathering on first day as Mozambique president

MAPUTO - Religious figures and officials gathered at the Mozambican Cultural Centre in Maputo on Thursday for the first address of the country’s President, Daniel Chapo.

Chapo, of the ruling Frelimo party, was officially inaugurated at Independence Square in the city centre on Wednesday.

This follows weeks of turmoil in the country, after allegations surfaced that the country’s October elections were rigged in favour of the Frelimo party.

In December, the country’s highest court ruled out any foul play regarding the election results, cementing Chapo’s victory.

Chapo’s first day as president of Mozambique saw him attend and address hundreds of religious figures and officials during an interfaith gathering in Maputo on Thursday morning.

READ: Maputo brought to a standstill ahead of Mozambican President's inauguration

He said there were three proposals as to what his first official activity as president of the country should be.

"The first was to hold a golf match, as is customary in other countries. Golf events are commonly attended. The second proposal was a football match. And the third, suggested by our religious leaders, was what in other countries they call a prayer day: a day of prayer for the president of the republic to begin their activities and the first working day with attendance at an interfaith service. When the religious leaders brought this proposal, my family and I, along with everyone involved in the organisation, said we would choose the third option."

Chapo previously served as the governor of the country’s most southern province, Inhambane, from 2016 to 2024.