Maputo, Sofala, and Zambézia: The strategic choices of presidential candidates
The presidential candidates of Mozambique have determined where they will begin their electoral campaigns, marking the start of a 45-day marathon leading up to the elections on October 9th. Daniel Chapo, Ossufo Momade, Lutero Simango, and Venâncio Mondlane, all running for the presidency, have made strategic choices regarding the launch points of their campaigns.
Three of the candidates have opted for the central region of the country, particularly the provinces of Sofala and Zambézia. Daniel Chapo, backed by Frelimo, chose Sofala, likely due to it being his birthplace. This choice is seen as an attempt to capitalize on local support, where the candidate hopes to mobilize voters based on regional ties.
Lutero Simango, meanwhile, also chose Sofala, where his party, the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), governs the Beira municipality under the leadership of Albano Carige. This decision reflects a strategy to consolidate MDM's position in Beira, a city where the party already has a strong presence.
Ossufo Momade, despite being a native of Nampula, decided to launch his campaign in Quelimane, Zambézia. This choice was likely influenced by Renamo's strong presence in the region, especially under the leadership of Manuel de Araújo, the mayor of Quelimane. Renamo has historically found strong support in this province, making it a strategic location to begin the campaign.
Venâncio Mondlane, running with the support of the PODEMOS party, chose Maputo in the south of the country as the starting point for his campaign. This choice may be linked to an attempt to strengthen his base in the south, where competition is intense and the electorate is diverse.
Political analyst Wilker Dias interprets the choices of Chapo and Simango in Sofala as a reflection of both candidates' desire to leverage their local connections. He notes that the competition between the two in Sofala could result in an interesting dynamic, as Simango may have more influence in the city of Beira, while Chapo may rely on voter support in areas like Inhaminga, his birthplace.
Dias also sees Momade's choice as strategic, given that Zambézia borders Nampula, his homeland, and is a province where Renamo has been able to expand its influence.
The city of Beira, a traditional MDM stronghold, and Quelimane have been favored as campaign launch sites since 2019, standing out as important settings in Mozambican politics.
These choices reflect the different strategies of the candidates, who seek to maximize support in their strongholds and consolidate their presence in key regions before the October vote.
