Mondlane’s return to Mozambique marred by deaths

Mozambique’s main opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane returned from self-exile on Thursday, claiming to have won a disputed October election that sparked months of protests against the long-ruling party and a violent crackdown by security forces.

While Mondlane stepped off a plane, security forces fired tear gas at hundreds of his supporters who gathered near the Mavalane International Airport in the capital, Maputo, to welcome him home.

“I want to fight within this country and I will, until the very end, keep fighting for this country,” Mondlane told reporters at the airport. “I’m not willing to accept election results if they are the same as those announced up until now.”

Mondlane left the country in October following an election clouded by allegations of rigging against the ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

Protests erupted after Frelimo was declared the winner of the 9 October election. International rights groups say at least 100 people have been killed by security forces, yet some local groups put the death toll at more than 200. Mondlane had called for people to protest the results.

The opposition leader, 50, has said he left Mozambique fearing for his life after two senior members of his opposition party were killed in their car by unknown gunmen in a late-night shooting in Maputo after the election. One of the men who was killed was Mondlane’s lawyer and advisor, and their party called the killings political assassinations.

Police on Thursday also blocked roads leading to the airport after Mondlane said on social media earlier this week he would return to the southern African country. Tear gas drifted over the airport and surrounding roads and a helicopter hovered overhead.

After arriving, Mondlane traveled by car to a public square in central Maputo, with thousands of cheering supporters following him. He later stood on the roof of the car to address supporters and repeated his claim that he was the rightful winner of the election.

Mondlane said he was willing to enter into negotiations with Frelimo to end months of unrest, which has disrupted the country of 33 million and at times brought it to a standstill.

Mondlane and other opposition candidates accused Frelimo of rigging the election and international observers reported irregularities in the vote and the alteration of some results. Mozambique’s Constitutional Council upheld Frelimo’s victory last month, making its candidate, Daniel Chapo, the president-elect.

He is due to be inaugurated next week to succeed President Filipe Nyusi, who has served the maximum two terms. Mondlane was second in the official results.

Chapo said on Thursday that he was committed to bringing about reforms to address discontent at poverty and unemployment. Frelimo was also open to talks with the opposition, the president-elect said.