Over 17 million voters were expected to participate in a nationwide poll to elect a new head of state, 250 members of parliament, new provincial governors and provincial assemblies.
It is estimated that 80% of the Mozambican population are youth aged between 18 to 35, suggesting that most voters are youth. And visits to many polling stations confirmed that the youth come out to vote in great numbers.
Comment
Observers point out that although the ruling Frelimo party and its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, are likely to emerge victorious, a huge youth turnout could spell trouble for the party that has been running the country since independence in June 1975.
This is because most youths are unhappy with the way Frelimo has been steering the country, especially in the past nine-odd years under President Filipe Nyusi leadership. This was clear in how the youth overwhelmingly voted for the opposition in the 2023 municipal elections, especially then opposition Renamo party mayoral candidate in Maputo city, Venâncio Mondlane, who was denied a clear victory by the electoral bodies.
It is in the aftermath of this setback that Mondlane challenged Renamo leader Ossufo Momade, leading to his parting ways with the main opposition party and making an alliance with the Democratic Alliance Coalition (CAD). Subsequently, CAD was disqualified from fielding candidates for the parliament and the provincial assemblies.
Eventually, Mondlane managed to run as an independent presidential candidate, supported by PODEMOS (Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique), which was set up by dissidents from Frelimo – in Portuguese, PODEMOS translated to “We Can”.
During the election campaign, he managed to attract huge crowds of the same dissatisfied youths and put him in direct collision with Frelimo, which will hold on to power by hook or by crook. Much as Mondlane might have managed to speak directly to the youth, it may not be enough for him to dislodge Frelimo from its perch.
As such, Mondlane’s hope will be the youth to be critical in ensuring that Frelimo’s victory, albeit inflated through rigging, is not as expressive for it to hold an absolute majority in parliament.
Meanwhile, Frelimo will have to make sure that it corrects its course during the next five years for more youths will be of voting age in 2029, and they too may think they do not like the ruling party and give their vote to the opposition, especially Mondlane.
@2025, Mozambique Insights. All Rights Reserved
