Mozambique’s Political Unrest: Chapo’s Dialogue Meeting Meets Protest Violence

On March 5, 2025, Mozambique marked a “Day of Dialogue” led by President Chapo, but violent protests erupted afterwards, revealing deep political unrest. Former candidate Venancio Mondlane criticized the government’s exclusion from dialogue and accused FRELIMO of fraud. Police brutality marred the protests, raising alarms about state violence. Amidst these tensions, Mondlane’s push for a new political party reflects a significant shift in the nation’s political dynamics.

On March 5, 2025, the Mozambican government designated a “Day of Dialogue” in an effort to address the post-election crisis. President Daniel Chapo signed an agreement with various political parties to foster peaceful resolutions. However, this event escalated into violent protests, contrary to Chapo’s expectations, leading to police brutality which has become increasingly common in recent months.

Former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane led rallies with thousands of supporters in protest, absent from the dialogue process. He accused the ruling FRELIMO party of election fraud, claiming he rightfully won the October 9, 2024 election. Mondlane’s statement emphasized that exclusion from dialogue equates to the exclusion of the Mozambican populace, warning of impending daily protests over the next five years.

During the peaceful march, police responded with force, deploying tear gas and live ammunition against protestors, including Mondlane. Reports suggest at least 16 people were injured, including children. Mondlane’s current whereabouts remain unknown, raising concerns for his safety. Dinis Tivane, his spokesperson, condemned the police’s actions, citing the peaceful nature of the demonstration.

FRELIMO has governed Mozambique since 1975 and is led by Daniel Chapo, who succeeded President Filipe Nyusi after he reached term limits. Though Chapo has advocated for reconciliation, critics assert his actions have not reflected this rhetoric. Mondlane, an influential opposition leader, has a history with RENAMO, the former rebel group opposing FRELIMO’s one-party rule and has since formed the “Coligacao Alianca Democratica” (CAD), which was excluded from the elections.

Mondlane ran as an independent in the 2024 presidential elections, supported by the opposition party PODEMOS, which received just over 24% of the votes according to the disputed counts. Post-election, Mondlane alleged that PODEMOS was coerced into recognizing the results by the government and has initiated the formation of a new political party, the “National Alliance for an Autonomous and Free Mozambique” (ANAMALALA). However, challenges such as bureaucracy have hindered this process.

Political analyst Sismo Eduardo Muchaiabande expressed optimism about Mondlane’s potential to rally support through his new party if obstacles can be overcome. This development reflects a growing disenchantment among the populace with established political entities, with eyes already turned towards the next elections scheduled for 2029.

The tensions between Mozambique’s government and opposition parties, particularly surrounding the controversial elections and police responses, underscore a complicated political landscape. Venancio Mondlane’s emergence as a formidable opposition figure reflects the populace’s yearning for meaningful representation. The future of Mozambican politics may hinge upon the formation of new parties and reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the system as the next elections approach in 2029.

Original Source: www.dw.com