Independent presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane threatened on Friday to initiate a nationwide strike and bring Mozambique to a halt if the ruling party, Frelimo, claims victory in the presidential election.
Mondlane told Reuters that his delegates’ figures from polling stations indicate he is in the lead following Wednesday’s election. Preliminary results are set to be announced on Saturday, with full official results expected 15 days after the election.
Frelimo, which has governed Mozambique since 1975, has faced consistent accusations of election rigging, which the party denies. Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo is widely anticipated to win, succeeding President Filipe Nyusi, who is stepping down.
Analysts view Mondlane, who resonates with the country’s disillusioned youth, as a significant challenge to the ruling party in years.
He stated, “The risks of violence are very high,” but clarified that he does not condone violence and intends to contest the outcome through the courts and peaceful demonstrations if Frelimo is declared the winner.
“We will mobilise our population so they do not accept the results,” he asserted. “We are going to instigate an economic shutdown, a total shutdown of the country.”
A Frelimo spokesperson responded by saying the party is awaiting official results, emphasising that “Frelimo does not declare victory; that is done by the official election body.”
While Mondlane mentioned he lacks conclusive evidence of election fraud, civil society organisations have reported some irregularities, including instances where election observers were denied access to monitor preliminary counting. Following Frelimo’s sweep in last year’s municipal elections, isolated street protests erupted and were met with forceful suppression.
On Friday, the capital, Maputo, remained peaceful, with some armed police officers deployed along major roads.