The crucial vote is the first since the government and rebels signed a peace deal to end decades of conflict.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/G. Guercia
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Mozambicans voted on Tuesday in a high-stakes election viewed as a test for consolidating a peace deal signed between the ruling party and former opposition rebels in the southern African country.
The Frelimo party, which has ruled the country since independence from Portugal in 1975, was expected to maintain control against its rival Renamo.
The two sides signed a peace deal in August to end decades of civil war that devastated the economy and left a million dead. The 1975 - 1992 conflict was followed by a truce until Renamo took up arms again after a contested 2014 vote.
Around 13 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections.
Frelimo marred by scandal
President Filipe Nyusi was expected to secure a second five-year term despite a financial crisis triggered by a $2 billion (€1.8 billion) corruption scandal linked to secret services and the Defense Ministry.
The country is also struggling to recover from two devastating cyclones in March, which displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
But the president is credited with securing a $25 billion liquid natural gas project billed as capable of turning the impoverished nation into one of the world's largest gas exporters.
Mozambique braces for election
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Renamo hopes for gains
Led by its new leader Ossufo Momade, Renamo was hoping to take control of three to five of Mozambique's 10 provinces following a change to the law implemented as part of the peace deal that allow voters to directly elect provincial governors.
However, it's unclear how much power provincial governors will wield after Frelimo created a provincial secretary of state position, subject to presidential appointment, that would take on many of the functions that governors previously exercised.
Renamo has already accused the government of tampering with the vote, raising questions over whether the former rebels will accept the results.
The fear is that violence could rekindle if the results are disappointing for Renamo, or they challenge the outcome.
Complicating the situation, an armed breakaway Renamo faction has rejected Momade's leadership and threatened violence.
Insecurity and political tensions might keep some people from the polls in the country's north, where a low-level Islamist insurgency has left hundreds dead over the past two years.
The country's third-largest party, MDM, is also contesting elections.
Mozambique: Picking up the pieces after Cyclone Idai
International donors have pledged $1.2 billion to help rebuild parts of Mozambique that were devastated by two cyclones in March and April 2019. Many people have lost everything. Here are the stories of the survivors.
Image: Lena Mucha
Saving the family
Beatriz was able to save herself and her children from the floods. On March 15, 2019, the rising waters took the residents of Grudja village by suprise. For three days they took refuge on rooftops or clung to trees while they waited for the water levels to drop.
Image: Lena Mucha
Health services destroyed
The health center in Grudja was also devastated by the floods. Drugs and medical equipment were destroyed. An emergency medical team has for now taken over the provision of the health services.
Image: Lena Mucha
Safety on the school roof
The roof of the primary school "Nhabziconja 4 de Outubro" served as a rescue point for many survivors. Just weeks after the floods, the school was able to reopen its doors and start classes once again. Many other schools in the region are still closed and reconstruction efforts remain slow.
Image: Lena Mucha
Water levels back to normal
The Revue River in Grudja breached its banks following heavy rainfall brought by the cyclone, flooding large parts of the surrounding land. The water levels have now fallen again and no longer pose a threat to the residents.
Image: Lena Mucha
Still missing
Regina lived in Grudja with her husband and her five children. The floods destroyed their house and their fields. Regina and her husband were able to survive by climbing a tree, but their children were swept away by the floodwaters. Four of them died, one is still missing.
Image: Lena Mucha
Destroyed harvest
Elisabete Moises, Victoria Jaime and 38-year-old Amelia Daute stand in their ruined maize field. Like many others, they survived by climbing onto the roof of the school. 14 of their neighbors, including 9 children, died in the floods.
Image: Lena Mucha
From primary school to health center
In Buzi district, west of Beira, women and children line up to receive medical care from the St John's Ambulance emergency team. This school has been turned into a make-shift health center. Cyclone Idai first made landfall along Mozambique's coastline, hitting the port city of Beira which is home to 500,000 people.
Image: Lena Mucha
Queuing for seeds
In many parts of the country, harvests were destroyed as a result of flooding and heavy rains. The World Health Organization estimates that at least 750,000 people will require food aid this year. In Cafumpe in Gondola district, 50 families received seeds from St John's Ambulance and other local aid organizations to plant maize, beans and cabbage.
Image: Lena Mucha
Reconstruction efforts underway
In the neighborhood of Ponta Gea in Beira, life seems to be getting back to normal. The storm destroyed large parts of Mozambique's infrastructure. Here, damaged electricity and telephone lines are being repaired. But in the surrounding countryside, entire villages need to be rebuilt. Many residents still don't have access to clean water and food.
Image: Lena Mucha
Picking up the pieces
53-year-old Helena Santiago works in the backyard of what used to be her house in the neighborhood of CFM-Maquinino in Beira. She lived here with her husband and eight children. When the cyclone hit Beira, Santiago and her family were able to seek refuge in a nearby train station. But their house was completely destroyed by the storm and she doesn't have enough support to help rebuild it.
