---
title: "Mozambique opposition leader returns after fleeing over post-election safety fears"
description: "Mozambique opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane returned home on Thursday, after fleeing in the days following a hotly contested October election that sparked demonstrations in which scores of protesters have been killed."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "TROUBLED NEIGHBOUR"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-09-mozambique-opposition-leader-returns-after-fleeing-on-post-election-safety-fears/"
published: "2025-01-09T11:42:48"
updated: "2025-01-09T12:19:24"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 280
---

# Mozambique opposition leader returns after fleeing over post-election safety fears

> Mozambique opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane returned home on Thursday, after fleeing in the days following a hotly contested October election that sparked demonstrations in which scores of protesters have been killed.

By Reuters · Published 9 January 2025, 13:42 SAST · Updated 9 January 2025, 14:19 SAST

## Key points
- Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned home on Thursday, after fleeing in the days following a hotly contested October election that sparked demonstrations in which scores of protesters have been killed.
- Opposition leader Mondlane claims the 9 October poll was rigged, urging supporters to protest nationwide.
- Heavy police presence and tear gas reported as thousands gather to welcome Mondlane in Maputo.
- Civil society reports at least 278 deaths linked to ongoing protests since the electoral commission's controversial results.
- Newly-elected President Chapo's upcoming inauguration may escalate Mozambique's political tensions further.

## Content

[Mondlane](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N3L70WG&linkedFromStory=true) says the 9 October[poll](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N3M029E&linkedFromStory=true) was rigged and has called on his supporters to take to the streets across the southern African nation of 35 million.

A heavy riot police presence was felt in the areas surrounding capital Maputo’s international airport where thousands gathered to welcome Mondlane.

A Reuters witness said tear gas was fired on crowds in the area and snipers were positioned on buildings around the air base.

Protests have continued, sporadically, for more than two months, and Mondlane’s return could add fuel to the fire.

Civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide said at least 278 people had died in the protests since mid-October, when the electoral commission announced the results extending the ruling Frelimo party’s half-century in power.

**Read more:**[Mozambique opposition vows to lead ‘spearhead’ protests](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2025-01-05-mozambique-sa-losing-regional-ground-as-fresh-protests-loom/)

**Read more:**[SADC mandates Panel of Elders to engage with Mozambique over post-election unrest](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-06-sadc-mandates-panel-of-elders-to-engage-with-mozambique-over-post-election-unrest/)

Frelimo has ruled Mozambique since the end of the war against Portuguese colonial rule in 1975, clinging on throughout a 15-year civil war that killed a million people before a 1992 truce.

Last year’s unrest hurt businesses and disrupted [border access](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL4N3MD1H7&linkedFromStory=true) with neighbouring South Africa, while some people have [fled](https://www.reutersconnect.com/flee) to neighbouring Malawi and Eswatini amid the violence.

Mozambique’s [top court](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3NP0G5&linkedFromStory=true) in December confirmed Frelimo’s election victory – despite a number of reports from observers that it was not free and fair – triggering a fresh round of protests.

Newly elected President Daniel Chapo is to be sworn in next week, another potential flashpoint in Mozambique’s political crisis.

Chapo and Frelimo deny accusations of electoral fraud. **Reuters/DM**

*(Reporting by Manuel Mucari and Custodio Cossa; writing by Tannur Anders; editing by Tim Cocks and Ros Russell).*