Clashes in Mozambique as main opposition leader Mondlane returns from exile | Election news
Injuries reported as police fired tear gas and live ammunition as Venancio Mondlane landed in Maputo after disputed elections.
Police fired live ammunition and tear gas to prevent supporters of Mozambique’s main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane from reaching the airport to welcome him after his return from self-imposed exile.
Live images from the capital Maputo broadcast by Al Jazeera on Thursday showed police chasing protesters, some of whom responded by throwing stones, as they tried to break through the main highway leading to the city’s Mavalane International Airport.
Al Jazeera reporter Fahmida Miller, who reported from the scene of the clashes in Maputo, said some of Mondlane’s supporters were injured in the clashes.
“The police retaliated against the protesters by firing tear gas. We also heard live ammunition,” she said.
“Protesters are trying to get to the airport to greet Mondlane, but they can’t. So they are more and more upset. There was a conflict between the police and the protesters.”
The number of injured could not be determined immediately.
Mondlane, who was greeted by a large group of journalists after leaving the airport building, claims that the October 9 election was rigged in favor of the candidates. the ruling Frelimo party, Daniel Chapo, who is scheduled to be sworn in on January 15.
Mondlane went into hiding more than two months ago fearing for his life after that two senior members from his party were killed in their car by unknown gunmen after the election, who also killed dozens of others.
“I’m here in the flesh to say that if you want to negotiate… I’m here,” Mondlane told reporters outside the airport.
The election dispute has sparked waves of violence that have killed around 300 people, including protesters killed in a police crackdown, according to local human rights groups.
The authorities say that police officers were also killed and that there was looting and vandalism. By decision of the Supreme Court of Mozambique, Constitutional Councilfor confirming the election results caused new protests.
There were fears that Mondlane could be arrested upon his return, including charges linked to weeks of protests by his supporters, many of whom were young Mozambicans desperate for change after 50 years under the ruling Frelimo.
Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since the end of a war against Portuguese colonial rule in 1975, denies opposition accusations of electoral fraud. Western observers say that this year’s elections were not free and fair.
Al Jazeera’s Miller said the government blames Mondlane for “fomenting” unrest across the country in recent weeks.
“They also said that he should pay for the damage caused in Mozambique during that time. Now the question is how will the government respond now?”
Mondlane’s supporters say his return from a two-month exile gives people hope. “We young people here are fighting for our tomorrow,” said Fatima Pinto, 20, who trained as a general medical technician.
