Mozambique opposition leader vows to install himself as president

Mozambique’s main opposition leader, Venâncio Mondlane, has declared that he will be installed as president on January 15 after rejecting his defeat in the presidential election.

His announcement came as his supporters staged violent protests across the country to demand an end to the Frelimo party’s 49-year rule.

The capital, Maputo, was like a ghost town on Christmas Eve, with almost all businesses closed and people staying home to avoid being caught up in the worst unrest in the city since Frelimo came to power with independence in 1975.

Frelimo offices, police stations, banks and factories have been looted, vandalized and burned across the country.

The latest unrest began on Monday after Mozambique’s highest court confirmed the victory of Frelimo presidential candidate Daniel Chapo in elections held in October.

Mondlane had disputed the result, claiming the poll was rigged.

In a Facebook live broadcast to his followers on Tuesday, Mondlane said he rejected the constitutional court’s ruling and added that he would take over as president on January 15, the day El Chapo is due to take the oath of office.

President Filipe Nyusi will leave office at the end of his two terms.

It is unclear how Mondlane intends to take up the role, as he is currently in self-imposed exile in an unknown country.

He has frequently mobilized his followers through speeches on Facebook Live, but has urged them to remain peaceful.

“We are with the people. We do not defend any form of violence,” Mondlane stated in his last speech.

El Chapo has not yet commented on his statement.

The October elections were the first time both ran for president, and the electoral commission declared Chapo the winner with 71% of the vote to Mondlane’s 20%.

The constitutional court reviewed the result, giving the Frelimo candidate 65% and Mondlane 24%.

Human rights groups say more than 100 people have died in unrest since the election.

Security forces are accused of being responsible for many of the killings, but police commander Bernadino Rafael had previously told the BBC that his officers had been defending themselves after being attacked.

Mondlane fled Mozambique after accusing police of threatening behaviour, and two of his aides were shot dead in October.

The 50-year-old evangelical pastor ran in the elections as an independent after separating from the main opposition party, Renamo.

His support is strongest among young people, many of whom are unemployed and demanding change.

Frelimo presented Chapo, 47, as its youngest presidential candidate.

He had previously rejected suggestions that he and Frelimo rigged the election, saying: “We are an organized party that prepares its victories.”