Mozambican President Meets Opposition Leader Amid Post-Election Unrest, Economic Challenges

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo met with Venâncio Mondlane, the country’s leading opposition figure, on Sunday night in the capital, Maputo, Bloomberg reports.

This marks the first meeting between the two since the controversial October election that triggered widespread unrest in the southeast African nation.

According to a statement released by the presidency, the meeting aimed “to discuss solutions to the challenges facing the country.” The meeting signifies a potential step toward stability following the disputed election results, which Mondlane alleges were rigged to extend Chapo’s party’s five-decade rule.

The unrest following the election has led to significant instability and economic strain. Decide Platform, a local rights group, estimates that at least 361 people died during the demonstrations, primarily as a result of police action.

The economic ramifications of the unrest have further strained Mozambique’s already fragile financial situation. S&P Global Ratings recently downgraded its assessment of the country’s local-currency loans to “selective default,” citing a distressed debt swap earlier this month.

The presidency emphasized the importance of the meeting:

“The president of the republic’s gesture of dialogue with Venâncio Mondlane symbolizes the will to build bridges and promote an open and constructive dialogue. The willingness to discuss common solutions also represents a significant step forward in the search for a peaceful, united Mozambique committed to collective progress.”