Mozambique's Daniel Chapo: Forging peace at the negotiating table'

"On a warm September morning in Maputo, President Daniel Chapo stood before an auditorium of delegates, government ministers and opposition figures to declare the start of a path in which Mozambique looks at itself in the mirror, listens to itself, and projects its future with the strength of its diversity. At 48, Chapo is the country's first leader born after independence."

"But the new leader says he has a vision for the country, and a plan to put it into place starting with the two-year inclusive national dialogue he launched in the capital on September 10. All voices count, all hands help to build, and all dreams have their place, Chapo, speaking at the launch, told the representatives of different political parties, including Venancio Mondlane, who was a leading figure in the post-election protests. Not a single Mozambican is excluded."

"Outside the presidential palace in Maputo, old Portuguese colonial architecture sits cheek by jowl with contemporary buildings and makeshift structures. For Chapo, understanding Mozambique today requires an understanding of its long history as a subject of empire, its fierce battle for independence, and the deadly civil war that his Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) party finally ended by signing a peace agreement with rebels from the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) in 1992."

President Daniel Chapo launched a two-year inclusive national dialogue on September 10 in Maputo to promote peace, unity and prosperity. He emphasized that Mozambique should look at itself, listen to all voices, and project its future through its diversity. Chapo is 48, the country's first leader born after independence, and assumed office in January amid economic difficulties, a humanitarian crisis, armed rebellion in the north, and post-election unrest. The dialogue includes representatives from multiple political parties and aims to include previously marginalized figures. Historical context includes colonial rule, the independence struggle, and the 1992 FRELIMO–RENAMO peace agreement.

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