As the logistics and supply chain community continues to experience non-disruptive trade on the N4 Corridor to the Port of Maputo, it’s been reported that the leader of Pessoas Optimistas para o Desenvolvimento de Moçambique (Podemos) arrived in the capital on Thursday morning.
This is despite initial concerns that Venâncio Mondlane, the leader of Podemos (Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique), might be arrested for treason following post-election unrest since last October’s disputed polls.
Following a two-month absence, the defeated presidential candidate, who managed to stir up post-election protests, much of which brought trade on the Corridor and at the port to a standstill, flew in from Doha on Qatar Airways.
His return, long anticipated, was met with significant police and military presence at Maputo Airport, although no attempt was made to detain him, Club of Mozambique reports.
This aligns with last month’s statement by the President of the Supreme Court, Adelino Muchanga, who clarified that no Mozambican court had issued arrest warrants against Mondlane.
Thousands of Mondlane’s supporters gathered at the airport to welcome him, but police blocked the approach roads, leading to confrontations.
Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, though one canister was inadvertently shot into a group of soldiers from the Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique (FADM).
Footage captured by the independent television station TV Sucesso showed soldiers attempting to wash the gas from their eyes using puddles formed by the morning’s persistent rain.
Despite the unarmed crowds posing no apparent threat, police used live ammunition to break up the gathering. The shooting began before Mondlane’s plane landed and continued as he made his way into the city. Reports from TV Sucesso indicated that by 10am, two of Mondlane’s supporters had been fatally shot.
One protester reportedly questioned whether their deaths were a consequence of not voting for the ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power for 50 years.
At the main entrance to the airport’s international terminal, Mondlane addressed his supporters in the pouring rain. He denied claims of any agreement with the government enabling his return, insisting that he had come back voluntarily without any political arrangement.
Regarding his political future, Mondlane declared that he would not accept any position in a government formed on what he deemed to be fraudulent election results.
Mondlane has frequently asserted in recent weeks that he, and not Daniel Chapo of Frelimo, would be sworn in as Mozambique’s president on January 15. However, on Tuesday, he appeared to shift his stance, proclaiming himself as “the President elected by the people” and taking an impromptu oath of office with his hand on a Bible.
He expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the government, stating that he was present “in flesh and blood” for such discussions. Meanwhile, dialogue between the government and opposition parties resumed on Thursday morning, coinciding with Mondlane’s airport speech.
President Filipe Nyusi had invited leaders of various opposition parties, including Podemos, the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), Renamo and Nova Democracia, to a meeting scheduled for 9am at the presidential office.
Mondlane also accused the government of orchestrating what he described as a “silent genocide” following a series of alleged extrajudicial killings and kidnappings targeting local Podemos leaders. He further alleged that mass graves had been discovered containing the remains of supposed Mondlane supporters.
Asserting his determination to hold those responsible accountable, Mondlane stated that his return was partly to expose the perpetrators of such crimes. He had also invited government officials, including Nyusi, to meet him at the airport, but none accepted the invitation.
The day’s events underscored the heightened tensions in Mozambique’s political landscape, with Mondlane’s return serving as a focal point for both his supporters and the authorities.
