After months of political unrest, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has returned to Mozambique, sparking hope and concern among citizens. His arrival comes after fleeing the country during post-election violence that has claimed over 278 lives since October.
Speaking to supporters, Mondlane reiterated his claims that the October 9 election was rigged and urged peaceful demonstrations. “This is about justice for our people and the future of our democracy,” he said.
Thousands gathered at Maputo’s airport to welcome Mondlane. The scene, however, turned chaotic as security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds, with snipers reportedly stationed on rooftops.
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The protests erupted following the declaration of a Frelimo party victory, extending its 50-year grip on power. The unrest has disrupted businesses, affected border access with South Africa, and forced many to flee to Malawi and Eswatini.
Plataforma Decide, a civil society group monitoring the crisis, reported over 278 fatalities since the results were announced. Despite international observers flagging irregularities, Mozambique’s top court upheld the election results last month.
Daniel Chapo, Frelimo’s newly-elected president, is set to be sworn in on January 15, a moment many fear could escalate tensions. Chapo and his party have consistently denied accusations of electoral fraud.
