Hundreds of supporters of Mozambique’s opposition protested as the country inaugurated a new president following disputed elections and deadly unrest

By Manuel Mucari and Thando Hlophe MAPUTO (Reuters) -Daniel Chapo of Mozambique's long-ruling Frelimo party was sworn in as president on Wednesday at a sparsely attended ceremony, as the death toll from months of protests against his disputed election victory climbed.

Supporters of opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, who insists he won the vote, have protested for months, sometimes drawing a violent police response. Demonstrations Wednesday reportedly turned deadly with seven people killed.

Mozambique's new President Daniel Chapo has been sworn in at a low-key ceremony in the capital, Maputo, that was marred by an opposition boycott following heavily disputed elections. Most businesses in Maputo were shut and the streets largely deserted after defeated presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane called for a national strike in protest.

President Ramaphosa expressed his anticipation in working closely with President-Elect Chapo to strengthen the longstanding fraternal ties between South Africa and Mozambique.

Daniel Chapo of Mozambique's long-ruling Frelimo party was sworn in as president on Wednesday at a sparsely attended ceremony after months of protests against his disputed election victory. A local civil society monitoring group says more than 300 people have been killed in clashes with security forces since the Oct.

Daniel Chapo is officially sworn in as Mozambique's new president:::: Maputo, MozambiqueThe disputed October 9 poll, which opposition leader Venancio Mondlane says was rigged, has sparked demonstrations over the past few months in which hundreds of protesters have been killed in the southern African nation of 35 million.

Mozambique's new president Daniel Chapo took the oath of office Wednesday in front of a heavily guarded audience of dignitaries in the capital Maputo following weeks of violent demonstrations over