Venâncio Mondlane: Mozambique opposition leader calls for unity ahead of new protests

A local monitoring group, Plataforma Decide, said 179 people died in unrest last week, after the country’s highest court confirmed that the ruling party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, won the election.

This brought the death toll to 278 people since protests began after the electoral commission declared Chapo the winner of the election in October, extending Frelimo’s 49-year rule.

Among the fatalities were protesters, children and members of the security forces.

Mondlane fled Mozambique, saying his life was in danger after two of his aides were shot dead in October.

In his latest speech, he urged people to “cook and socialize” in their neighborhoods, before a new wave of protests begins on January 2.

“I am willing to lose my life for this fight,” he added.

He had previously said he would be installed as president on January 15, the day El Chapo will be sworn in, despite the constitutional court confirming his rival’s victory.

It is unclear how Mondlane intends to take up the role, given that he is in self-imposed exile.

In a statement, El Chapo said he would serve as “the President for all” after his inauguration.

“We will soon work together to find solutions to the problems caused by this unfortunate situation,” he added.

The electoral commission declared Chapo the winner of the elections with 71% of the votes, compared to Mondlane’s 20%.

The constitutional court reviewed the result last week, giving Chapo 65% and Mondlane 24%.

International election observers previously said the vote was flawed, pointing to manipulated numbers and other irregularities during the counting process.

The subsequent protests have dealt a severe blow to Mozambique’s economy.

More than 12,000 people have lost their jobs and more than 500 companies have been vandalized, Onorio Manuel, vice president of the country’s Confederation of Economic Associations, told local news website O País.

In addition to companies, Frelimo offices, courts, police stations and toll booths have been set on fire.

Last week, police reported that more than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a maximum security prison, taking advantage of political unrest.

Neighboring countries have also felt the impact of the unrest in Mozambique. Several thousand Mozambicans have fled across the border into Malawi as a result of the violence.

And a concerned South Africa sent a special envoy, Sydney Mufamadi, to Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, to discuss the crisis with President Filipe Nyusi, who is due to step down at the end of his two terms.

Mufamadi said the discussion focused on understanding the nature of the crisis and exploring how South Africa could help resolve it.

South African officials say they have stepped up intelligence and security operations along the border to prevent criminal elements from crossing.