Three shot dead as Mozambique's opposition leader returns from exile

Three people were shot dead by police in Mozambique Thursday as they congregated to welcome opposition leader Venancio Mondlane who returned from self-imposed exile following October's disputed elections.

Local publication Agencia de Informacao de Mozambique (AIM) reported that Police used live ammunition to disperse thousands of Mondlane's supporters.

“The shooting began before Mondlane's plane landed and continued as Mondlane was driven to the centre of the city (the capital Maputo),” AIM reported.

Mozambique has been gripped by protests since Oct. 21, with the opposition disputing the victory of 47-year-old Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party who has been declared winner of the Oct. 9 presidential elections.

Chapo got 71% of the vote, defeating Mondlane who got only 20%.

Mondlane, who claims to have won the election, called for protests. The Constitutional Council was then tasked with overseeing the case, and last month it affirmed that Chapo had won the vote but reduced his percentage to 65%. This caused fresh and more violent protests.

Nearly 300 people have died since the protests started in the country, with most deaths caused by gunfire from security personnel, according to civil society groups and a local elections monitoring group.

Addressing reporters upon his arrival, Mondlane said he is a "president elected by the Mozambican people, not by the Constitutional Council," reiterating his rejection of the October election results validated by the country's highest electoral authority.

Mondlane's return sparked a large turnout of supporters heading toward a rally he organized in the capital Maputo.

Police intervened, firing shots into the air to disperse the crowd. Authorities cited public order concerns, but the move further fueled unease among opposition members.

The opposition leader also expressed a willingness to engage with the government, though he emphasized that any dialogue would occur "on his terms."

Mondlane referred to his return as a pivotal moment for Mozambique's democracy, stressing the importance of accountability and justice regarding the electoral disputes.

While the government has yet to comment on Mondlane's statements, analysts caution that his return could exacerbate the political divide if reconciliation efforts are not pursued promptly.