Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo initiated a “Day of Dialogue” on March 5, 2025, which led to violent protests by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. Accusations of election fraud against FRELIMO persist as police brutality escalates. Mondlane is working to establish a new party amid bureaucratic challenges and calls for deep political change.
On March 5, 2025, Mozambique’s government declared a “Day of Dialogue” as President Daniel Chapo aimed to address the post-election crisis by signing an agreement with all political parties in parliament. Unfortunately, this day was marred by violent protests led by former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who was not invited to the dialogue and thus organized his own protest through impoverished neighborhoods of Maputo.
Mondlane persistently claims to be the rightful winner of the October 9, 2024 presidential election and continues to allege electoral fraud against the ruling FRELIMO party. He announced his intention to hold “daily protests over the next five years” if he is excluded from discussions involving Mozambican citizens.
During the protests, police initially confronted demonstrators with violent tactics, including tear gas and live ammunition, resulting in injuries to at least 16 individuals, including children. Dinis Tivane, a spokesperson for Mondlane, condemned the police’s response as a brutal attack on peaceful citizens, whereas Wilker Dias from the NGO “Plataforma Decide” emphasized that the demonstration posed no threat.
FRELIMO, which has ruled Mozambique since 1975, is currently led by Daniel Chapo following former President Filipe Nyusi’s two-term limit. While Chapo attempts to engage in reconciliatory politics, opposition figures argue he has failed to implement significant changes or uphold his promises. Mondlane, viewed as a charismatic leader among the poor, originated from the RENAMO movement and previously attempted to unify opposition under a new party, CAD, which faced exclusion from elections due to claimed irregularities.
Having run as an independent candidate backed by the PODEMOS party in the last election, Mondlane has since accused the party of government influence following its recognition of disputed results. He is now working on establishing a new political entity, the “National Alliance for an Autonomous and Free Mozambique” (ANAMALALA), despite facing significant challenges such as bureaucratic fees in the signature collection process. Despite these hurdles, political analyst Sismo Eduardo Muchaiabande believes that Mondlane’s charm could mobilize substantial public support for the new party, though its true potential may not be realized until the 2029 elections.
In summary, the political landscape in Mozambique remains tense following a controversial election. President Daniel Chapo’s attempts at dialogue were overshadowed by violent protests led by Venancio Mondlane, who continues to rally against the ruling FRELIMO party’s legitimacy. As Mondlane endeavors to form a new political party amidst significant regulatory challenges, many anticipate how forthcoming elections will unfold amidst waning trust in traditional political entities.
Original Source: www.dw.com
