Mozambique: Top Court confirms disputed Frelimo election win

The Constitutional Council, the highest court in Mozambique, on Monday confirmed the results of the country's disputed presidential election, extending the ruling Frelimo party's grip on power into a 50th year.

The seven-judge bench ruled that Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo had secured 65% of the vote, revising down the initial results of nearly 71%. Frelimo has governed Mozambique since 1975.

Opposition groups have been claiming since the October election that the results were rigged, sparking massive protests across the country.

At least 130 people were killed in clashes with police, according to the civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide.

Western observers have also said the election was neither free nor fair, while Frelimo has denied vote-rigging accusations.

Opposition protests in Maputo

Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane claimed that the election was stolen from him and, before the court's verdict, had vowed to call "a popular uprising" if the Constitutional Council approved Chapo's victory.

"Even though the signs were there, we never thought that the electoral truth would be trampled," Judite Simao, a representative for Mondlane, told reporters. "The will of the people was obliterated."

Mondlane's supporters again took to the streets in the capital of the southern African nation, Maputo, burning tires and blocking roads.

"Difficult days will come," the 50-year-old Mondlane said.

mf/sms (Reuters, AFP, AP)