Campaigns underway in Mozambique to choose next president

FILE - Venancio Mondlane gestures to supporters gathered to celebrate the results in the local elections in Maputo on Oct. 12, 2023. Mondlane is running as an independent in Mozambique's presidential election on Oct. 9, 2024. FILE - Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi speaks during Armed Forces Day celebrations in Pemba, Mozambique, Sept. 25, 2021. Nyusi will step down in January 2025 after his second term. The country's elections are scheduled to be held on Oct. 9, 2024.

Mozambique has begun a 45-day election campaign to choose the next president, with four hopefuls looking to succeed President Filipe Nyusi. He will step down in January at the end of his second five-year term.