Mozambique: After Court Defeat, Opposition Leader Vows To Install Himself President

Arising from his defeat at the Constitutional Court in the disputed presidential election, the opposition leader in Mozambique, Venâncio Mondlane has said he will go ahead to declare himself the country’s leader come January 15.

Mondlane who has repeatedly rejected the outcome of the presidential poll has called on his supporters to march in demonstration of their grievances.

In response, his supporters protested across the country to demand an end to the 49-year-rule of the Frelimo party.

In a Facebook live broadcast to his supporters on Tuesday, Mondlane said he rejected the ruling of the constitutional court, adding that he would assume the office of president on 15 January – the day that Frelimo’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo is due to be sworn in.

He has frequently rallied his supporters via speeches on Facebook live, but has urged them to remain peaceful.

“We are with the people. We do not advocate any form of violence,” Mondlane said in his latest address.

On Christmas Even, the once busy capital Maputo was deserted as residents feared that they could be caught up in the deadly demonstrations.

The protest has been described as the worst unrest in the city since Frelimo rose to power at the country’s independence in 1975.

The latest demonstration which started on Monday was in response to the ruling of the country’s highest court which upheld the victory of Chapo, in the October election.

Despite Mondlane’s call for peaceful protest among his supporters, Frelimo’s offices, police stations, banks and factories have been looted, vandalised and set ablaze around the country.

The electoral commission has declared Chapo the winner of the October election with 71% of the vote to Mondlane’s 20%.

The constitutional court in its ruling on Monday affirmed Chapo’s victory but revised the percentage of his victory. It gave the Frelimo candidate 65% and Mondlane 24%.

Mondlane who insists that the election was rigged in currently on exile in an unknown country after he accused the police of threatening behaviour, following the killing of his two aides.