Daniel Chapo, the charismatic 47-year-old candidate, is leading Frelimo’s charge as the party looks to maintain power after 49 years of dominance.
Chapo’s candidacy represents a break from the era of leaders who rose through the ranks during Mozambique’s independence war. His youth and outsider status have drawn large crowds at campaign rallies, offering hope to voters tired of Frelimo’s long rule, marred by corruption scandals such as the notorious “tuna bond” debacle, which triggered the country’s worst economic crisis.