In Mozambique, widespread fraud during local elections in 2023 and the general elections in 2024 triggered nationwide protests, which were met with violent repression by security forces. The post-election period became the most violent since the end of the civil war. Institutional responses, including opaque corrections by the Constitutional Council, failed to restore trust, while political participation and opposition integration weakened further.
Mozambique’s economy has shown robust growth since the hidden debt scandal and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, growth remains highly concentrated in the extractive sector, which absorbs the vast majority of foreign direct investment. The economy is characterized by jobless growth, high informality and limited diversification. Climate-related shocks continue to constrain agricultural productivity, while poverty levels remain persistently high.
Governance is marked by limited steering capacity and weak consensus-building. The government has prioritized macroeconomic recovery but has failed to translate growth into broad-based socioeconomic development. Political polarization, fragmented opposition parties and violent post-election repression have further undermined institutional legitimacy and social cohesion.
