By McGeorge Mbare
Mozambique heads for its 7th presidential election polls since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1994 tomorrow.
After over four centuries of Portuguese colonial rule ,Mozambique which gained independence in 1975 is endowed with rich and extensive natural resources, but it still faces a low intensity insurgency distinctively in the farthermost region from the southern capital and northern province where Islamic jihadist are dominant.
For the first time Mozambique’s 49 year reign, Frelimo party , will be represented by fresh faces in Mozambique’ s polls as liberation struggle stalwarts bow out handing over to 47 year old Daniel Chapo, the Frelimo presidential candidate who was born after independence . President Filipe Nyusi the incumbent, is leaving at the end of his constitutionally allowed 2 terms.
Despite his relatively low profile and experience in national issues, Chapo who is expected to win the elections will have his plate full, Mozambique facing a number of issues such as economic challenges ,climate change induced natural disasters and instability caused by the insurgency in Cabo Delgado.
Mozambicans will be hoping whoever is elected will bring peace to the oil and gas rich area, and prevent the brutal killings perpetrated.
Other candidates in the polls include Ossufo Momade, of the main opposition, Lutero Simango the candidate of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique and an independent rising star Venancio Mondlane.