Post-electoral: Mondlane calls for “reuniting the nation” and promises new protests

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Post-electoral: Mondlane calls for “reuniting the nation” and promises new protests

8:46 CAT | 31 Dec 2024

File photo: Screengrab from Venâncio Mondlane live on Facebook

Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who is leading the challenge to Mozambique’s election results, promised yesterday to announce new protests on Thursday, urging citizens to sing the national anthem during New Year’s Eve as a way to “unite Mozambicans.”

“It’s a game by those who don’t want to leave power, organizing this whole scheme to create an environment of terror among the people so they don’t exercise their right to protest. (…) Businesspeople believe it’s the protesters who destroyed their businesses,” Mondlane added.

Mondlane reiterated his openness to dialogue, accusing the ruling party and the head of state of rejecting international mediation.

Yesterday, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi ruled out the possibility of foreign mediation to resolve the post-election tensions in the country, advocating for local dialogue and solutions without “schemes, arrangements, and interests.”

For Mondlane, the president’s stance reflects a lack of interest in resolving the country’s crisis, suggesting that protests and demonstrations must continue. “The protests won’t stop (…) They want to divide us, and the only method they’re using is terror,” declared Mondlane, accusing police forces of “killing innocents” to instill a “culture of fear.”

The Mozambican politician urged citizens to sing the national anthem during the transition into the new year, from 11:45 PM to midnight, as a symbol of unity. He promised to provide details on Thursday about the next phase of the protests, called “Spearhead.”

“For us to continue with our goal, the Mozambican people must reunite, just like in the early stages of the protests (…) Let’s hold hands again and sing the national anthem (…) Let’s cook in the streets to restore the unity among neighbors,” he said.

Mozambique has been experiencing a post-election crisis since October, marked by protests and demonstrations that have led to clashes between police and protesters, resulting in nearly 300 deaths, according to civil society organizations monitoring the situation.

On December 23, the Constitutional Council (CC) declared Daniel Chapo the winner of the presidential election with 65.17% of the votes, succeeding Filipe Nyusi. Frelimo also retained its parliamentary majority in the October 9 general elections.

This announcement triggered new chaos across the country, with pro-Venâncio Mondlane protesters—who received only 24% of the votes—taking to the streets with barricades, looting, and clashes with the police, who have been firing shots to try to disperse demonstrators.

At least 175 people died in the past week of protests, bringing the total death toll to 277 since October 21, with 586 injured, according to the latest tally by the Decide electoral platform.

Source: Lusa