PREVIEW
Despite calling for demonstrations, the opposition leader has eased his demands, making his planned unofficial inauguration unlikely
Six people were reported killed and a further 15 injured by gunfire in clashes on 13 January, in the first of three days of planned protests called by Partido Otimista pelo Desenvolvimento de Moçambique (Podemos) presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
Mondlane, who returned to the country last week after several months in exile following the assassination of two of his senior advisors, had his diplomatic passport confiscated by authorities upon arrival (Dispatches, 7/1/25, Political showdown likely as Mondlane returns).
Though Mondlane has called for three days of protest to mark the swearing in of President-elect Daniel Chapo and members of the Mozambican parliament, he appears to have softened his demands in recent days. Plans to hold his own unofficial presidential inauguration on 15 January look increasingly unlikely.
On 10 January, he demanded that the Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (Frelimo) government set up a programme to build three million houses for young people in five years, alongside a US$600 million fund to compensate small businesses for their losses from several months of protests since the disputed October elections. He has also called for free medical care for those injured and compensation for the families of people killed.
It remains uncertain whether South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend Chapo’s inauguration on 15 January. Meanwhile, Portugal, the former colonial ruler, has indicated that only its foreign minister will attend.
Last week, the Portuguese parliament passed a resolution urging its government not to recognise the election results pointing to ‘the serious irregularities and fraud that have been denounced and documented’ (AC Vol 65 No 22, Fears mount as election row escalates).
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