Who is Daniel Chapo? Mozambique’s New President Visiting Rwanda

Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, for a two-day working visit. During his stay, he is expected to meet President Paul Kagame and other senior officials to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of defence, security, and socioeconomic cooperation.

This marks Chapo’s first official visit to Rwanda since taking office in January 2025, following his landslide victory in the October 2024 general elections, where he secured 61% of the votes.

Who is Daniel Chapo? Early Life and Education

Daniel Chapo was born in 1977 in Sofala Province, Mozambique. He studied law and went on to specialize in constitutional law and political science. Before stepping into active politics, Chapo also worked as a university lecturer, shaping young legal minds.

He later pursued higher education, earning a Master’s degree in Development Management from the Catholic University of Mozambique.

Political Career

Chapo is a member of FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique), the ruling socialist democratic party that has governed the country since its independence from Portugal in 1975.

• 2011 – Entered politics after working as a jurist and lawyer.

• 2016 – Appointed Governor of Inhambane Province in southern Mozambique, where he gained recognition for his administrative skills.

• 2024 – Became FRELIMO’s first presidential candidate born after independence.

• 2025 – Sworn in as the fifth president of Mozambique on January 15, 2025.

Election Victory and Promises

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Chapo ran on a platform of peace, unity, and development. A key highlight of his manifesto was addressing the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, a northern province plagued by terrorism and instability.

“Attacking Cabo Delgado is the same as attacking all of us. As Mozambicans, we feel the pain of Cabo Delgado as the pain of all of us,”

— Daniel Chapo, October 2024 campaign rally in Maputo

His promises included:

• Restoring peace and security in Cabo Delgado.

• Promoting economic growth through investment in infrastructure and natural resources.

• Expanding access to education and health services.

• Strengthening regional and international partnerships.

Significance of His Visit to Rwanda

Rwanda has been a crucial partner to Mozambique since 2021, when Rwandan Defence Forces joined Mozambican troops to fight terrorist groups in Cabo Delgado.

During Chapo’s current visit, discussions are expected to center on:

• Strengthening defence and counterterrorism cooperation.

• Enhancing intelligence sharing and joint military training.

• Promoting trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.

Mozambican Defence Minister Maj Gen Cristóvão Chume, who visited Kigali days before Chapo’s arrival, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “Terrorism is not only threatening Mozambique, but also Rwanda and the entire region. Our efforts are common, and we discussed how to improve our response capability, particularly through training, intelligence sharing, and operational coordination.”

A New Era of Leadership

At just 48 years old, Daniel Chapo represents a new generation of Mozambican leadership, being the first post-independence president of the country. His youth, legal expertise, and political experience make him a symbol of change and continuity within FRELIMO.

As Mozambique faces challenges of terrorism, economic diversification, and social development, Chapo’s leadership will be closely watched both regionally and globally. His visit to Rwanda underscores his commitment to regional solidarity and the belief that African nations must work together to solve African problems.

Daniel Chapo’s presidency marks a turning point for Mozambique. His first visit to Rwanda highlights not only the strategic military partnership between the two countries but also signals his intention to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties across Africa.

As Mozambique’s youngest president so far, Chapo steps into office with a promise to deliver peace, progress, and prosperity for his people while fostering deeper regional cooperation.