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Venâncio Mondlane, Mozambique’s opposition leader, made a highly charged return to the capital, Maputo, Thursday, January 9, 2025, after months in self-imposed exile. His arrival, marked by both jubilation and confrontation, comes amid widespread unrest following October’s controversial presidential election.
Mondlane landed early in the morning, greeted by a massive crowd of supporters who defied heavy police restrictions to welcome him back. Security forces had sealed off access to the airport, using tear gas to disperse throngs of people attempting to reach the area. Snipers were positioned on rooftops, and reports of injuries and fatalities trickled in as clashes intensified. Despite the chaotic scenes, Mondlane emerged from the airport terminal, Bible in hand, and knelt to the ground in prayer as his supporters cheered.
“I, Venâncio Mondlane, president-elect by the Mozambican people, swear on my honour to serve this homeland,” he declared, doubling down on his claim that the October election was stolen from him.
The backdrop to Mondlane’s return is one of the most contested elections in Mozambique’s history. Official results from the constitutional court, announced in December, declared Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party the winner with 65% of the vote. Mondlane, finishing a distant second with 24%, has consistently dismissed the outcome as fraudulent.
Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975, now faces its most significant political crisis in decades. The opposition, led by Mondlane, has accused the party of manipulating election results and stifling dissent through violence.
In the months since the election, protests have erupted nationwide, with human rights groups reporting over 270 deaths, including children, protesters, and security personnel. Demonstrations have been met with brutal crackdowns, and footage from local media appears to show police firing on crowds. These events have drawn condemnation from international observers and heightened concerns about Mozambique’s stability.
Mondlane, a 50-year-old Pentecostal preacher and vocal critic of the ruling party, said his return was driven by a desire to stand in solidarity with his supporters and address the growing unrest. “I am here to speak out against the atrocities being committed against my people and to defend myself against these baseless accusations of criminal activity,” he said during an impromptu speech.
The opposition leader also extended a tentative olive branch to the government, signaling a willingness to negotiate. “If you want to talk, I am here,” he said. However, he maintained a combative stance, vowing to continue his fight for justice and democracy. Days before his return, Mondlane defiantly announced on social media that he would no longer hide. “If they want to kill me, let them. The fight will not end,” he said in a Facebook broadcast.
Mondlane has also pledged to install himself as president on January 15, an announcement likely to escalate tensions further. His move challenges the legitimacy of Chapo’s upcoming inauguration and could provoke a government crackdown.
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