Venancio Mondlane, leader of Mozambique’s opposition party Podemos, has announced plans to declare himself president on January 15, the same day Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) is set to be sworn in following a contentious election.
Mondlane claims the October 9 presidential election was marred by fraud and accuses the ruling party of stealing his mandate. Despite his allegations, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council on Monday confirmed Chapo as the winner, reducing his victory margin from 71% to 65%. The ruling extended Frelimo’s nearly five-decade rule in the country.
Speaking to his supporters via social media, Mondlane rejected the court’s decision and declared his intent to assume the presidency, escalating tensions in a country already grappling with unrest.
Violent protests have plagued Mozambique since the electoral authority declared Chapo the victor in October. Demonstrations intensified following the court’s confirmation of the results, with incidents of vandalism targeting gas stations, police stations, and banks.
Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda reported that recent clashes left 21 people dead and 25 injured over two days of unrest. This adds to a death toll of 151 since October 21, according to the election monitoring group Plataforma Decide.
While protesters have been accused of vandalism, civil society organizations and rights groups have criticized Mozambican security forces for what they describe as excessive use of force in suppressing dissent.
The ongoing turmoil underscores deep divisions in Mozambique’s political landscape, with observers calling for dialogue to prevent further violence.