Mozambique top court upholds ruling party's disputed win as tensions escalate
Mozambique's Constitutional Court on Monday confirmed the ruling Frelimo party's victory in October's contentious election, following weeks of deadly street clashes over allegations of rigging. Exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has vowed to lead an unprecedented uprising, citing electoral fraud.
Mozambique's highest court confirmed Monday the ruling party's victory in a disputed October vote after allegations of rigging triggered weeks of deadly street clashes.
Fears are high that more violence could break out in the southern African nation after the opposition threatened to call an uprising following the decision.
The Constitutional Court said the ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo secured 65 percent of the vote, revising down provisional results from the electoral commission which said he got nearly 71 percent.
Chapo's main challenger, exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, received an upward revision to 24.2 percent of the vote.
The final results extend Frelimo's half-century grip on power and lines up Chapo to take over from President Filipe Nyusi whose second term ends on January 15.
Mondlane has said that the election was rigged in favour of Frelimo and that a separate count shows he won enough votes to take office, which he intends to do.
Several international observer missions have also said there were irregularities.
Chapo struck a conciliatory tone in his first speech after being declared winner, promising to reach out to Mondlane, who has been in a self-imposed exile.
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