Opposition leader’s planned return to Mozambique sparks fears of further bloodshed

Political analyst, Siphamandla Zondi, says the return of opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, to Mozambique ahead of the inauguration of the country’s president-elect will exacerbate an already tense situation.

The Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos) presidential candidate, who has been in self-imposed exile since October, has announced that he will return to Mozambique tomorrow.

His return comes after weeks of protests over unhappiness about the poll results, which the opposition believes were rigged.

The deadly post-election violence over Frelimo’s victory has left over 200 people dead and scores injured.

His party, Podemos, obtained 20% of the vote and Mondlane says he will declare himself president when he gets back home.

Speaking to YNews, Zondi called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to do more to quell the tensions in Mozambique.

International Relations expert, Sipho Mantula, says mediation is needed to resolve the standoff and the needs of ordinary Mozambicans should be prioritised.

Mondlane, who has become the face of protests in Mozambique, recently postponed the next phase of demonstrations, citing technical reasons and unforeseen circumstances.

He has urged his supporters to remain patient, saying the postponement was a gesture of respect.

The unrest has destabilised Maputo, leaving businesses damaged and forcing thousands to flee to neighbouring countries, including South Africa.

There are also fears that Mondlane’s return will lead to more conflict and bloodshed, with the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (Cosatu) Bongani Masuku urging restraint.

 

Meanwhile, Mozambican opposition party the Democratic Alliance Coalition has described leaders of the ruling Frelimo party as bullies.

The Democratic Alliance Coalition’s Solomon Mondlane says all they want is to have a dialogue.

There have many reactions to Mondlane’s planned return to Mozambique and the ongoing conflict.

‼️Media Statement‼️

The arrest of Venancio Mondlane cannot be allowed by the SADC region. We cannot have instability in Mozambique.

I have written to the minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola about the crisis in Mozambique. pic.twitter.com/5gKrUlwtk9

— Mmusi Maimane MP (@MmusiMaimane) January 8, 2025

Because Liberation movements protect each other. Ramaphosa is not going to call out his fraudulent friends for stealing the votes. Mozambique will become another Zimbabwe and we the ordinary South Africa will bear the brunt

— Esme-wa-lawyara (@Amsterdamesmee) January 8, 2025

One week after the V8 unrest, several shops and malls began inflating prices on basic goods. In response, people visited these stores to warn the owners to maintain fair pricing, or they would be forced to take matters into their own hands and seize the goods for free.#People pic.twitter.com/eCaQzOaGmi

— Free Mozambique (@MozambiqueFree) January 8, 2025

As SADC Chair, I am on my way to Mozambique, to welcome President Venancio, and deliver a message of solidarity from the people of my village, Zimbabwe!

— The Duke of Chikwaka 🎠🎩👑 (@mandazafg) January 8, 2025

Mozambique: outgoing President Nyusi invited all opposition leaders to a discussion tomorrow, along with President-elect Chapo.

All leaders except for Venancio Mondlane, of course.
Mondlane lands at 0805, meeting is at 0900 at the Presidential palace.

— Amedeo OA (@AMP_analyst) January 8, 2025

*CCC Party Statement on the Situation in Mozambique*

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Party is deeply concerned about the unfolding situation in Mozambique, where the announcement of election results has been met with widespread unrest and violence. We condemn the…

— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) January 8, 2025

The citizens of Mozambique should emphasize the unity in action against the former liberation movement, the FRELIMO. Corruption and lack of accountability has changed it. It is an enemy of the people of Mozambique and its revolutionary ideology is seriously eroded . Eve

— Godfrey Maesela Molekwa (@MolekwaMaesela) January 8, 2025

Venâncio Mondlane, the deposed candidate for the 2024 elections in Mozambique, who continues to lead to the destruction of public and private infrastructure, causing deaths and an incalculable economy, is expected to land in Mozambique in 9th January.
Both his visa and Pasport… https://t.co/JeCA8svllC

— Mambone 🇲🇿 (@mambonemz) January 8, 2025

The country’s president-elect, Daniel Chapo, is scheduled to take his oath of office next week Wednesday.