Mozambique heads to the polls amid insecurity and drought-induced hunger

President Filipe Nyusi from the governing Frelimo party is stepping down after two terms.

Voters in Mozambique are set to head to the polls in an election that is almost certain to see the governing party Frelimo maintain its half-century grip on power, despite a stiff challenge from a charismatic newcomer.

Close to 17 million voters in the Southern African nation of 31 million people, are registered to vote on Wednesday for the next president along with 250 members of parliament and provincial assemblies.

President Filipe Nyusi from the Frelimo party, is stepping down after two terms and the party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, is expected to replace him. Frelimo has governed Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975.

This time, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane has captured the support of disenchanted youth and poses the biggest threat to Frelimo in years, political analysts say.

He also poses a challenge to the official opposition party, Renamo, which was formerly a rebel movement waging a decades-long bush war against the government.