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.

Under tight security measures, Mozambique’s new president, Daniel Chapo, was sworn in as the country’s fifth president on Wednesday. Around 2,500 guests, including the presidents of South Africa and Guinea-Bissau, endured intense heat as Chapo took his oath to become Mozambique’s president for the next five years.

At least eight people have died on Wednesday in the post-election demonstrations in Mozambique, the day the new Mozambican president, Daniel Chapo, took office, according to a survey carried out by the electoral platform Decide.

Daniel Chapo, 48, was inaugurated on Wednesday, extending the Frelimo party's half-century of rule in Mozambique, despite weeks of deadly protests over the hotly disputed election results.

Mozambique’s newly-elected parliament convened Monday in the capital as 210 members took their oaths of office amid a boycott and protests by opposition parties who have disputed the results of the recent elections.

Only a handful of foreign dignitaries – including President Cyril Ramaphosa – gathered in Maputo today as Frelimo cemented its half-century of rule in Mozambique following months of deadly protests.

Mozambican opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane said he was open to pausing protests that have been hammering the southeast African nation, even as civil servants plan a pay strike.