Mozambique’s capital Maputo was tense on Thursday as self-exiled opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane returned to the country, insisting he was the rightful elected leader.
The pastor-turned-politician has been living in exile in Europe since the disputed October 2024 presidential election that he claims was rigged in favour of the ruling Frelimo party and its candidate Daniel Chapo.
He was received by a large crowd of supporters when he arrived amid heavy security at Maputo International Airport on Thursday morning.
He expressed his readiness to negotiate to resolve the tension over the disputed election, which he claims was stolen from him.
“I’m here in the flesh to say that if you want to negotiate,” Mondlane said.
He stated that he returned to be closer to the protest movement, which has seen weeks of nationwide demonstrations resulting in dozens of deaths.
His return comes just days before the scheduled swearing-in on January 15 of Chapo who was confirmed as the winner of October’s election by the constitutional court in late December.
JN/APA