MOZAMBIQUE is teetering on the brink of political chaos as Venâncio Mondlane, the country’s main opposition leader, announced plans to install himself as president on January 15, rejecting the results of October’s elections. His bold claim has ignited widespread unrest, marking the most significant challenge to the Frelimo party’s nearly five-decade rule.
The capital Maputo is reeling from violent protests, with businesses shuttered, streets deserted, and the country’s infrastructure under siege. Since Monday, at least 21 people have died in clashes, according to Interior Minister Arsénia Massingue.
Wave of unrest erupts across Mozambique
Frelimo offices, police stations, and commercial establishments have been looted and torched in protests sweeping the nation. The unrest erupted after Mozambique’s constitutional court upheld the victory of Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo, who secured 65 percent of the vote against Mondlane’s 24 percent.
Mondlane, who has accused authorities of election rigging, remains defiant. In a Facebook live broadcast, he declared, ‘I reject this fraudulent decision. On 15 January, I will assume the office of president.’ Mondlane, currently in self-imposed exile, urged his supporters to remain peaceful but resolute in their demand for change.
Chapo, the 47-year-old Frelimo candidate, has not publicly responded to Mondlane’s declaration but previously dismissed allegations of electoral fraud, stating, ‘We are an organised party that prepares for victory.’
A nation divided
This election marks the first presidential bid for both Chapo and Mondlane. While Chapo has been portrayed as Frelimo’s youthful face of continuity, Mondlane, a 50-year-old former evangelical pastor, has rallied significant support among Mozambique’s disillusioned youth, who are grappling with unemployment and stagnation.
Mondlane broke away from the Renamo party to contest as an independent, presenting himself as a reformist alternative to Frelimo’s long-standing dominance. His calls for peaceful demonstrations have been overshadowed by the escalating violence, leaving the nation deeply divided.
Security forces under fire
Rights groups claim over 100 lives have been lost in post-election violence, with security forces accused of excessive force. Police commander Bernardino Rafael refuted these allegations, stating officers acted in self-defence against armed protesters.
The protests also highlight growing frustration with Frelimo, which has ruled since Mozambique’s independence in 1975. Critics say the party’s grip on power has stifled democratic reforms and accountability.
The road ahead
Mondlane’s declaration raises questions about Mozambique’s political future. His ability to ‘assume office’ while in exile remains uncertain, but his rhetoric has emboldened a movement demanding sweeping change. As January approaches, the stakes grow higher for a nation seeking stability amid deepening political fractures.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Chapo’s inauguration, with observers wondering how Frelimo will address the mounting unrest and accusations of election irregularities.
For Mozambique, the days ahead could redefine its political landscape—or deepen its divisions.
