Venâncio Mondlane, leader of Mozambique’s opposition, has returned home after months in hiding following October’s contentious presidential election, which led to widespread protests and loss of life.
Mondlane arrived at Maputo’s main airport on Thursday under tight security, greeted by thousands of supporters who had gathered to welcome him despite a heavy police presence.
Speaking upon his return, Mondlane declared his intention to remain close to the protest movement that has swept the nation in the wake of the disputed election. Demonstrations have turned deadly, with dozens of lives lost in the clashes.
A Symbolic Return
Emerging from the airport, Mondlane knelt with a Bible in hand, vowing to serve the people of Mozambique as the “true president elected by the people, not by the courts.” Supporters cheered as he began to pray, pledging his dedication to justice and democracy.
Mondlane reiterated his stance that the election had been stolen from him and expressed willingness to engage in dialogue to address the political crisis. “I’m here in person to say that if you want to negotiate, I’m ready,” he stated.
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Escalating Protests and Heavy Security
Mondlane’s return came days before the scheduled swearing-in of Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party, who was declared the election winner by the constitutional court. Official results gave Chapo 65% of the vote, compared to Mondlane’s 24%. Mondlane has rejected these results, claiming victory and announcing plans to install himself as president on January 15.
Ahead of his arrival, security forces sealed off roads leading to the airport and used tear gas to disperse crowds of supporters attempting to reach the area. Snipers were reportedly stationed on nearby buildings, and access to the airport was restricted to travelers with flight tickets.
Mondlane described his return as a “unilateral decision” and denied that it was part of any political agreement.
Continued Violence and Calls for Justice
Since the October election, Mozambique has seen waves of protests, leaving over 270 people dead, including protesters, children, and security personnel, according to rights organizations.
Venâncio Mondlane, who had been rallying supporters through social media, announced his decision to return over the weekend, stating, “If they want to kill me, they can, but the fight will continue.”
The post-election crisis continues to cast a shadow over Mozambique, with no resolution in sight as tensions between the opposition and the ruling party remain high.
