Mozambican security forces responded with violence following a large public display of support for opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who returned to the country after two months in self-imposed exile.
The situation escalated as protests took place in Maputo, with reports of at least one person being killed after being shot in the head.
Zimbabwean journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, in a tweet on X, wrote:
“The Mozambican security services have responded with violence to the massive show of support in the streets of Maputo for the main opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who returned to the country after two months of self-imposed exile.
“One person is reported dead after being shot in the head.
“Clearly, President Nyusi seems to be taking advice from his Western neighbour in Harare.
“The playbook of shooting and killing peaceful protestors is straight out of Mnangagwa’s tool kit,” he wrote.
Mondlane returned to Mozambique on Thursday and spoke to the media at Maputo International Airport, explaining that his return was driven by a desire to challenge the notion that dialogue is impossible without him being in the country.
He also expressed his determination to end the violence and persecution of Podemos supporters and to support the growing protest movement in the country.
The unrest in Mozambique has intensified since the election of new President Daniel Chapo in October 2024, with protests in Maputo and throughout the country.
The opposition is organising a large rally, and there are concerns that the demonstrations could lead to more violence and riots.
Fredson Guilengue, a Mozambican analyst from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in South Africa, stated that Mozambique’s long-standing repressive regime has made violence the preferred method for dealing with opposition, further escalating tensions in the country.
In the October elections, Mozambique’s ruling party, Frelimo, won a controversial and violence-ridden election, securing a continued hold on power.
Daniel Chapo, the Frelimo candidate, gained 71% of the vote and will replace Filipe Nyusi as president.
Chapo, at 47, is the first president of Mozambique born after the country’s independence.
