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.

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 the fiercely disputed election results.

MOZAMBIQUE's Daniel Chapo is set to be sworn in today as the fifth President of the former Portuguese colony, which gained its independence on June 25, 1975.

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 was sworn in as Mozambique's president amid violent protests over his disputed election victory. The opposition claims vote-rigging, and protests have taken a deadly toll. Chapo promised governmental reform and prioritization of health and education.

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 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.