The streets of Maputo were deserted on Monday when Mozambique swore in its new parliament. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane had called for a three-day strike to protest the result of highly disputed elections. Indeed, two smaller opposition parties boycotted the opening ceremony, saying they did not accept the outcome of the October election. President-elect Daniel Chapo called for calm and unity after months of unrest that have rocked the southern African nation.

Mondlane entered Mozambique from self-imposed exile last week after his lawyer was assassinated on October 19. His return sparked confrontations between supporters and police in the capital. He called for three days of protests this week.

For Mozambican analyst Carmeliza Rosario, there are few signs that a peaceful end to the standoff is in sight.

"There is a feeling of unfairness. There is no impartial media and not everyone is covering everything," she told DW. She added that there are competing narratives: one by the ruling Frelimo party, to whom the 48-year-old Chapo belongs, and that of Mondlane's opposition party, Podemos.

Mozambique's highest court confirmed the parliamentary seat allocation from the election just before Christmas, with Frelimo obtaining 171 seats and Podemos, a small party that has become the main opposition, winning........

© Deutsche Welle