Mozambique Elections: Mondlane calls for ‘government of national unity’, a united front of the opposition

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Mozambique Elections: Mondlane calls for ‘government of national unity’, a united front of the opposition

1:19 CAT | 28 Oct 2024

Screen grab: Venâncio Mondlane

Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has called for the creation of a Government of National Unity with the remaining Mozambican opposition parties, saying he is open to dialogue with Frelimo if the reliable results of the general elections of October 9 are published. Mondlane also warned that the next demonstrations in the country will be stronger.

From the secret location where he has been taking refuge since the killing of two of his top aides, Venâncio Mondlane spoke live on social media on Saturday to all Mozambicans, thanking them for their international support and asking the protesters to respect public and private property during the demonstrations.

The candidate supported by Podemos, who according to the official results received 20% of the votes, said that the country needs a Government of National Unity, praising the remaining opposition parties such as Renamo, which joined the popular protest against the results that gave Frelimo victory in the general elections.

“We have to build a government of national unity. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the president of Renamo. He made a very interesting speech. I congratulate the president of MDM, who joined in, to a certain extent, with the marches. He was very active at the funerals of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe. I also congratulate the president of Nova Democracia, who is positioning himself very well. I also congratulate the president of Revolução Democrática. We, as the opposition, are in a position to form a united front, with the same ideals, to fight for these people and instead of being divided and each one being, let’s say, co-opted by Frelimo,” Mondlane declared.

As for the opening of dialogue proposed by Frelimo, Mondlane said he would also be willing to talk, but for that to happen, the voting records would have to be published and the results would have to be in line with the vote of Mozambicans.

“I have just heard that the Frelimo party says it is open to dialogue. Do you want to resolve this issue? Then let’s go through dialogue. Let’s now respond to the people’s desires. That’s what the people want. We want dialogue, we want to discuss what the people want. Let’s see what needs to be done so that the people can truly feel relief from their pain, feel free to cry for help. One of the things we have to do to achieve this dialogue is: Votes are not negotiable, votes are counted. Where are the Frelimo party’s notices [editais]? Where are the editais from the electoral bodies? We have to start there. Where is the real popular vote? We have to deal with the real data. We have to deal with the electoral truth,” Mondlane said.

The presidential candidate also said that the third wave of protests will begin on Tuesday and that it will be stronger than the previous ones, possibly bringing more than four million Mozambicans onto the streets.

Source: RFI