MAPUTO, Mozambique — The leader of Mozambique’s primary opposition party returned from a period of self-imposed exile on Thursday, carrying a bible and expressing his continued rejection of the contested election results from last year that ignited over two months of protests, along with a brutal response from security forces.
As Venancio Mondlane stepped off the plane, hundreds of his supporters gathered at Mavalane International Airport in the nation’s capital, Maputo, to greet him. Security forces responded by firing tear gas into the crowd. Mondlane’s arrival was met with applause from airport staff as he knelt in the arrivals area with the bible clutched in his left hand.
Upon addressing the media, Mondlane declared, “I want to fight within this country and I will, until the very end, keep fighting for this country. I’m not willing to accept election results if they are the same as those announced up until now.” His departure from Mozambique in October had been prompted by serious allegations of election rigging aimed at the ruling Frelimo party, which has held power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
The aftermath of the declared victory of Frelimo in the October 9 election led to widespread protests. Reports from international human rights organizations indicate that security forces killed over 100 individuals during the unrest, with some local organizations claiming a death toll exceeding 200. Mondlane had called for protests against the election results.
Mondlane, aged 50, revealed his fears for personal safety following the assassination of two key members of his party, who were shot in their vehicle by unidentified assailants in Maputo shortly after the elections. Among those killed was Mondlane’s lawyer and advisor, with the party labeling these killings as political assassinations.
On Thursday, police set up blockades around the airport, anticipating Mondlane’s return as he announced on social media earlier in the week that he would be coming back home. As tear gas filled the vicinity, a helicopter flew overhead. Following his landing, Mondlane made his way to a central public square in Maputo, surrounded by thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
To connect with his followers, Mondlane stood on the roof of his vehicle and reiterated his assertion that he was the true victor of the election. Human rights organizations have condemned the security forces for employing excessive measures against protesters in the aftermath of the elections. Authorities have contended that the demonstrations turned violent and needed to be controlled, while rights advocates allege that security forces used live ammunition against peaceful dissenters, resulting in fatalities, including children.
Adorned with a necklace of white flowers, Mondlane accused the government of abducting and murdering several anti-government protesters. Despite his criticisms, he expressed a willingness to pursue negotiations with Frelimo to address the ongoing unrest, which has significantly affected Mozambique’s population of 33 million, even causing disruptions to daily life. The nation has also been grappling with an insurgency led by jihadists in the northern regions since 2017.
“I’m here in flesh and blood to say that if you want to negotiate, if you want to talk to me, if you want to come to the conversation table, I’m here,” Mondlane stated.
Alongside other opposition figures, Mondlane has accused Frelimo of manipulating the election process, while international monitors reported various voting irregularities and the alteration of results. Recently, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council upheld Frelimo’s victory, confirming Daniel Chapo as the president-elect, with his inauguration set to take place next week. Chapo, who succeeds President Filipe Nyusi, is expected to take on a leadership role after Nyusi’s two-term limit.
Chapo expressed his commitment to implement reforms addressing widespread issues related to poverty and unemployment, revealing that Frelimo is open to discussions with the opposition.
The unrest following the elections has led to thousands of Mozambicans seeking refuge in neighboring Malawi, and South Africa temporarily closed its border with Mozambique last year due to safety concerns after vehicles were burned near the border crossing.
The Southern African Development Community has announced plans to send a delegation to Mozambique in hopes of facilitating a resolution to the ongoing turmoil. Frelimo, originally born from a guerrilla movement that fought for independence, has faced repeated allegations of electoral fraud since Mozambique conducted its first democratic elections in 1994. This electoral manipulation has haunted the party since its long-standing conflict with the rebel group Renamo, which now exists as opposition, showcasing the ongoing political tensions in the country. The street protests that have erupted in various cities since October represent the most significant challenge to Frelimo’s authority since the end of the civil war in the early 1990s.
