Former Mozambican presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane called for a general strike to honor “the true heroes of the people”; however, the response was minimal. Maputo remained calm, schools operated normally, and there were few public transport disruptions. Police violence did occur, resulting in fatalities. Mondlane’s declarations regarding Heroes’ Day were largely unheeded, as official ceremonies took place without his influence.
On Tuesday, former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane initiated a call for a general strike intended to honor “the true heroes of the people”; however, the response from citizens was largely indifferent. Unlike previous strikes orchestrated by Mondlane, Maputo appeared relatively calm, with no reports of violence or disruptions such as barricades or burning tires.
Schools remained mostly operational, contrasting sharply with the previous strike days in November and December when educational institutions faced closures. Public transport was limited, as many minibus operators refrained from operating their services due to concerns about potential attacks, yet there was no reported violence against vehicles during this strike.
Some shopkeepers opted to keep their businesses closed, remembering the unrest experienced in December. By midday, the only violence reported occurred in the Casa Branca area, where police used tear gas and live ammunition against crowds, resulting in at least two fatalities according to the “Decide” Electoral Platform.
Tragedy struck when the police pursued and allegedly shot a victim in Casa Branca. In addition, the platform highlighted that 15 of Mondlane’s supporters have been killed since December, alongside the murder of a Frelimo party member. The general strike was prompted by Mondlane’s decision to cancel the planned celebrations for Heroes’ Day on February 3, which commemorates the murder of Frelimo’s founder, Eduardo Mondlane.
Mondlane has designated March 18 as the new Heroes’ Day, marking the anniversary of a police assault on demonstrators honoring deceased rapper Azagaia. Despite Mondlane’s declaration, public ceremonies proceeded in Heroes Square, led by President Daniel Chapo. Mondlane’s assertion that he can unilaterally declare national holidays is legally unfounded, regardless of his claim to have won the presidential election.
Following his decree, Mondlane released his personal list of national heroes, featuring Eduardo Mondlane and first president Samora Machel at the top, while also including victims of violence, prominent figures in human rights, and those murdered in connection to financial fraud investigations.
In summary, the general strike called by Venancio Mondlane was largely ignored by the populace of Mozambique, who displayed little support for his initiative. Schools remained open, and the streets of Maputo were calm compared to previous strikes, despite a few incidents of police violence. The legitimacy of Mondlane’s declarations regarding national holidays is questionable, and his list of heroes illustrates a complex relationship with the ruling party, highlighting notable historical figures and victims of violence in the country.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
