Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned to Mozambique after the October 2024 election. Image: AFP
(The Post News)- Mozambique’s opposition chief Venancio Mondlane came back home on Thursday, after escaping in the aftermath of a fiercely disputed October election that ignited protests resulting in numerous fatalities among demonstrators.
Mondlane claims the October 9 election was manipulated and urges his followers to demonstrate throughout the southern African country of 35 million people.
A strong presence of riot police was evident in the areas near Maputo’s international airport, where thousands assembled to greet Mondlane.
The conflict regarding the election outcomes has triggered bouts of violence that have resulted in approximately 300 fatalities, which include demonstrators who were killed during a police crackdown, based on a count by a local human rights organization.
The turmoil has resulted in significant damage to Mozambique’s economy, halting cross-border commerce. Transportation, extraction, and manufacturing have been impacted as well, with reports indicating that thousands have escaped to adjacent nations.
There were concerns prior to his arrival that Mondlane might be detained, potentially on accusations linked to the weeks of demonstrations by his backers, a significant number of whom were young Mozambicans eager for transformation.
Analysts stated that any government moves against Mondlane could plunge Mozambique, which is still troubled by years of civil conflict, into a significant crisis.
According to Morier-Genoud, Mondlane will “retake the political initiative” once he is back in Mozambique.
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