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Venancio Mondlane, leader of Mozambique’s main opposition party, has revealed that he is facing five criminal charges, including allegations of inciting and promoting terrorism.
Speaking to journalists outside the attorney general’s office in the capital, Maputo, on Tuesday, Mondlane said the charges had finally been made official following months of legal uncertainty.
He has been a central figure in anti-government demonstrations that erupted after contested general elections in October 2023.
The protests, which were met with violent repression by security forces, came in response to widespread claims of electoral fraud.
Despite an apparent agreement with President Daniel Chapo in March to end hostilities on all sides, Mondlane said he continues to face political persecution.
Among the charges filed against him are inciting terrorism, encouraging collective disobedience, and promoting criminal acts.
“This means we can now go to court, which I welcome, as we are no longer in the dark under judicial secrecy,” he said, noting that he is being represented by both local and international legal teams.
Credit: Amilton Neves / AFP
The public prosecutor’s office declined to comment on the case.
Earlier this month, Mondlane had toured Europe and warned that he could be arrested upon his return to Mozambique. While he was not detained on arrival on Monday, he was closely followed by a large police convoy through the streets of Maputo.
He accused authorities of weaponising the justice system to silence dissent. “The public prosecutor’s office has become a tool of persecution,” he said, claiming the charges stem from his opposition to what he describes as “clear electoral fraud.”
He also denounced ongoing repression, saying, “Those who fight against this crime are met with persecution, imprisonment, violence, and even death.”
The October election, which international observers said was marred by irregularities, sparked over two months of demonstrations and road blockades. Civil society organisations report that around 400 people were killed during the unrest.
Although official results placed Mondlane second behind Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo, Mondlane continues to assert that he won the election.
While a March meeting between the two leaders offered hope of reconciliation, Mondlane insists that he and his supporters remain targets of government hostility.
