Mozambican opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane was welcomed this Thursday by a crowd on his return to the country. The police violently repressed the demonstration of support. Three people were killed.
The repression of demonstrations in support of the opposition leader Mozambican, Venâncio Mondlaneleft at least three dead this morning in the capital Maputo.
Mondlane, who claims to be the winner of the October 9 presidential elections, returned home Thursday in a triumphant mood after two months of self-imposed exile. Mondlane fled the country due to unrest that erupted after the elections and intensified with the certification of the results last month, which gave victory to FRELIMO candidate Daniel Chapo.
The violence of recent weeks has left more than 100 dead in the country. Some opposition groups even claim that the riots killed more than 200 people.
This Thursday, Mondlane was welcomed by thousands of people in the Mozambican capital and held a symbolic inauguration. After an enthusiastic welcome at the airport, Mondlane went to central Maputo, to the Mercado Estrela neighborhood, where he gave a speech to the crowd and the police eventually opened fire and threw gas tear gas on the crowd celebrating the candidate’s return. Following this episode, the whereabouts of Mondlane are unknown.
Earlier, police had blocked access to the airport to prevent crowds from coming to welcome Mondlane.
The PODEMOS party candidate left Mozambique two months ago, fearing for his life after the assassination of two figures of the movement.
Venâncio Mondlane showed himself ready to begin negotiations to put an end to the violence plaguing the country.
