Venancio Mondlane, the leader of Mozambique’s opposition, has announced his return from self-imposed exile ahead of the inauguration of the new president, Daniel Chapo, on January 15. Mondlane, who has been leading protests from abroad against the contested results of the October 9 presidential election, revealed in a Facebook live address on Sunday that he would arrive at Maputo’s Mavalane International Airport on Thursday morning.
Mondlane, who fled the country after his lawyer was tragically killed on October 19, has been a vocal critic of the election outcome, claiming widespread irregularities and election fraud. From his undisclosed location, Mondlane has led mass protests that have sparked violent clashes, resulting in nearly 300 fatalities, according to a local rights group.
The official results, confirmed by Mozambique’s Constitutional Council, showed Mondlane winning 24% of the presidential vote, while Chapo, the candidate from the ruling FRELIMO party, secured a commanding 65%. Mondlane has refused to accept the results, insisting that the election was rigged and that alternative counts indicated his victory.
Chapo, 47, is set to take office as the new president on January 15, following the conclusion of President Filipe Nyusi’s two-term presidency. Despite Chapo’s forthcoming swearing-in, Mondlane has vowed to challenge the legitimacy of the results and has made it clear that his return signals his commitment to continuing the fight for what he believes was a stolen election.
“If they are killing my brothers, if they are murdering my brothers, then I will be there,” Mondlane said during his live broadcast, underscoring the personal stakes he has in the ongoing political struggle.
The announcement of Mondlane’s return comes amid growing tensions in the country, with international observers also raising concerns over the election’s transparency. FRELIMO has maintained control of the country since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975, but Mondlane’s return marks a significant moment in the political landscape, as he aims to challenge the political establishment and ensure his supporters’ voices are heard.
As the nation prepares for the inauguration, all eyes are now on Mondlane’s next steps and whether his return will further escalate the ongoing political crisis.