Venancio Mondlane, leader of Mozambique’s opposition, has returned to the country after fleeing in the wake of violent protests sparked by the disputed October elections. Mondlane, who has accused the ruling Frelimo party of electoral fraud, arrived in Maputo on Thursday, where large crowds gathered at the international airport to welcome him. His return comes at a time of heightened tensions in the southern African nation.
The October 9 poll, which extended Frelimo’s decades-long rule, was marred by accusations of irregularities. Mondlane has called the election rigged and has urged his supporters to take to the streets in protest. Protests, which began shortly after the election results were announced, have since claimed the lives of at least 278 people, according to the civil society group Plataforma Decide.
On Thursday, a significant presence of riot police was observed near Maputo’s airport, with security forces firing tear gas at crowds and deploying snipers on nearby buildings. This heavy-handed response to the growing protests underscores the government’s determination to quell dissent. The situation remains tense, with Mondlane’s return expected to reignite the ongoing unrest.
Mozambique has been under Frelimo’s control since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The party maintained its grip on power through a brutal 15-year civil war that left over one million people dead before a 1992 peace agreement. Despite international observers’ concerns over the legitimacy of the election process, Mozambique’s top court upheld the electoral victory of Frelimo in December, further inflaming public dissatisfaction.
The political instability has also taken a toll on the country’s economy. Businesses have been disrupted, and border access with neighboring South Africa has been severely affected. In response to the violence, some Mozambicans have fled to neighboring Malawi and Eswatini.
As newly-elected President Daniel Chapo prepares to be sworn in next week, the political crisis continues to deepen. Chapo, alongside Frelimo, denies all accusations of electoral fraud, but his impending inauguration could serve as another flashpoint in the nation’s turbulent political landscape.