Just In: Mozambican opposition head Venâncio Mondlane scraps plan to return for protest – Bloomberg

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Just In: Mozambican opposition head Venâncio Mondlane scraps plan to return for protest – Bloomberg

10:22 CAT | 07 Nov 2024

Screen grab: @DemocraciaMZ /X

Opposition has called for supporters to ‘occupy’ capital today

Operations at main port in Maputo have been disrupted

Mozambique’s opposition leader, whose supporters have shaken the southeast African nation with protests over last month’s disputed election, abandoned plans to return for a final march on Thursday.

Venâncio Mondlane, the fiery former lawmaker and pastor, had earlier pledged to lead a protest in the capital, Maputo. He’s called on his supporters to “occupy” the city to back his claim that he won last month’s presidential election, after results showed ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo triumphed with almost 71% of the vote.

Days of intensifying and deadly protests, which forced Maputo’s port to stop accepting cargo, is set to culminate in what Mondlane has characterized as a “day of the liberation of Mozambique” from the party that’s ruled since it gained independence from Portugal 49 years ago. He’d planned to return to the city this week — after last month fleeing abroad in fear of his life — and didn’t immediately respond to a question about why he’s cancelled his trip.

Mozambique is facing what could be its most perilous period since a 16-year civil war ended in 1992. At least 24 people have died in the protests that erupted after the Oct. 9 election. The nation’s defence chief warned earlier this week that there’s a plot to illegally seize power.

With fears of growing violence, various embassies in gas-rich Mozambique have urged restraint. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for an immediate de-escalation and respect for people’s right to assemble peacefully.

Neighbouring South Africa has closed its main land border and called for calm, while warning its citizens against travel to Mozambique. The authorities in Maputo have repeatedly restricted internet access since the weekend.

That’s made it more difficult for Mondlane to command his supporters via daily live streams that have attracted millions of viewers since he said he left on Oct. 21.

The qualified forestry engineer has sought support from millions of jobless youth in a country where the median age is about 17, and one in three young people are out of work or school.

Defence Minister Cristóvão Chume said on Tuesday the government is investigating potential excessive force by police who’ve used live ammunition to quell the protests. At least one police officer has died.

Catholic Bishops

An influential group of Catholic bishops has called for dialog between political leaders.

Mondlane has said he’s ready to negotiate — with conditions including the restoration of what he claims is the real election outcome. President Filipe Nyusi has said the Constitutional Council must first verify the final results, and that the disputing sides must build trust before dialog starts.

Mozambique’s top court gave the electoral commission until today to clarify discrepancies in the number of people who voted in the three different elections held last month — presidential, parliamentary and provincial assemblies.

Road closures, curfews and other security measures are likely on Thursday in and around Maputo’s key government buildings and the presidential palace, Eurasia Group said in a note this week. The most likely resolution to the current political crisis will be a recount of votes in several districts, it said.

Cumprida ameaça do ministro Chuma o exército acaba de chegar às ruas da Cidade de Maputo #Moçambique https://t.co/zPdlk5oEqd pic.twitter.com/ocEtgo5eTr

— Verdade Democracia (@DemocraciaMZ) November 7, 2024