MAPUTO:
The leader of Mozambique’s opposition, Venancio Mondlane, who has spearheaded months of protests against contested election results from abroad, announced his return to the country on Sunday ahead of the new president’s inauguration.
Mondlane, who fled the country after his lawyer was murdered in October, revealed in a Facebook live address that he would land at Maputo’s Mavalane airport on Thursday.
In exile, Mondlane had called for protests over the disputed results of the October 9 elections, which he claims were manipulated in favor of the ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power for five decades.
The protests have been met with a severe police response, resulting in around 300 deaths, according to a local rights group, along with reports of looting and destruction.
“If they are killing my brothers, I will be there,” Mondlane declared. “If it’s for me, if it’s because of Venancio, I will be at Mavalane International Airport on Thursday at 8 a.m.”
Official election results showed Mondlane receiving 24% of the presidential vote, while Frelimo’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, garnered 65%. Mondlane insists the election was rigged and claims that an alternate count showed him as the winner. Several international observers have also pointed to electoral irregularities.
Chapo, 47, is scheduled to be sworn in on January 15, succeeding President Filipe Nyusi, whose two-term limit ends. Frelimo has governed Mozambique since independence in 1975.
Mondlane, 50, a popular figure among the country’s youth, seemed unfazed by the criminal and civil charges brought against him by authorities, including those linked to damages from protests by his supporters.
“You can do whatever you want,” he said, seemingly addressing the government. “If you want to kill, kill. If you want to arrest, arrest. I will be there.” Mondlane has previously alleged assassination attempts on his life.
Despite Mondlane’s ongoing rejection of the election results, major political parties have accepted their seats in the new parliament, even as they acknowledge the election’s irregularities.
