MAPUTO (REUTERS) - Mozambique's ruling party Frelimo has retained power in this month's national election, extending its five-decade rule in the Southern African state as the opposition cried fraud.
Frelimo's Daniel Chapo, 47, will succeed President Filipe Nyusi to become Mozambique's fifth president since its independence from Portugal in 1975. Nyusi is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms.
Chapo won over 70% of votes, the electoral commission said on Thursday. Venancio Mondlane, backed by the Podemos party, came second with 20% of votes, displacing former rebel movement Renamo, which had been the official opposition party but whose candidate came third this time around.
Observers have said the Oct. 9 election was not free and fair. A European Union mission reported irregularities during counting and alteration of results at the local and district level, problems which have marred most polls since Frelimo first allowed multi-party elections in 1994.
The electoral commission has declined to comment on allegations of vote-rigging.
Mondlane, who claims he is the true winner, has already called for nationwide protests on Thursday and Friday. Political protests in Mozambique are usually forcefully suppressed by police..
Chapo, a lawyer, is seen as a business-friendly choice who analysts say is likely to maintain the status quo regarding a fight against Islamist insurgents in the north and partnerships with companies including Exxon Mobil and TotalEnergies which are trying to get major gas projects off the ground.
The country of nearly 35 million is struggling with a large debt burden and worsening climate shocks including drought and cyclones.
Additional reporting by Siyabonga Sishi in Maputo, and Bhargav Acharya and Tannur Anders in Johannesburg; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning