STORY: Daniel Chapo sworn in as president of Mozambique
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 15, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 16, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:37
LOCATION: Maputo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the ceremony

STORYLINE:

Daniel Francisco Chapo was sworn in as the fifth president of Mozambique during a public ceremony held Wednesday in central Maputo, the capital of the southern African country.

Prominent figures, including former presidents Joaquim Chissano and Armando Guebuza and the outgoing head of state Filipe Nyusi, attended the event at the Independence Square.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Bissau-Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embalo were also present, along with over 2,000 guests, including representatives of governments, organizations, cooperation partners, and other dignitaries.

In his inaugural speech, Chapo announced plans for administrative reforms, including reducing the number of ministries, eliminating positions such as deputy ministers, and reallocating resources to critical sectors. "It will be a smaller government, but one that is highly agile and efficient," he said.

Chapo said the deputy minister post would be replaced by "secretaries of state with clear and well-defined responsibilities, who respond directly to the ministers."

He took a strong stance against corruption and promised to review the privileges granted to state officials and privatize non-strategic companies to make the government more sustainable.

Chapo also emphasized his administration's commitment to cracking down on kidnappings and organized crime.

Concluding the ceremony, the outgoing President Filipe Nyusi called for unity among Mozambicans in supporting the new leader.

Current secretary-general of the ruling party Frelimo, Daniel Chapo was born in the central province of Sofala in 1977 and graduated in Law from the Eduardo Mondlane University in 2000, making him the first President of the Republic born after the country's independence in 1975.

On Dec. 23, 2024, Chapo was proclaimed by the Constitutional Council as the president-elect with 65.17 percent of the votes in the Oct. 9 general elections.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Maputo.
(XHTV)