Mozambique names woman as Prime Minister
Mozambique’s new President, Daniel Chapo, has announced Maria Benvinda Levi as the country’s prime minister.
Levi, 55, is the second woman to hold this position since Mozambique gained independence in 1975.
Levi, a former justice minister and judge, will lead alongside other newly appointed ministers in the newly formed Cabinet.
Maria dos Santos Lucas, a career diplomat, has been named foreign minister, and Carla Alexandra Loveira will head the finance ministry. Cristóvão Chume remains as defense minister, continuing from the previous administration.
President Chapo, who was inaugurated on January 15, won the October 9 elections with 65% of the vote.
His main opponent, Venancio Mondlane, received 20% and disputed the results. Protests called by Mondlane have led to violence, with at least 308 people killed since October 21, according to Plataforma Decide, an election monitoring group.
Speaking about the new Cabinet, Chapo promised a “New Era” of leadership. He urged the ministers to work for the benefit of all Mozambicans and to be accountable to the people.