KEY POINTS
- Venancio Mondlane threatens a nationwide strike if Frelimo wins.
- He claims to be leading the presidential race, citing early polling data.
- Mondlane vows economic reforms and peace negotiations in Cabo Delgado.
In the case of the ruling Frelimo party declaring victory in the most recent election in Mozambique, independent presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane has threatened a statewide strike. According to early polling data, Mondlane is leading the race and is seen as Frelimo’s biggest opponent in years.
Mondlane challenges Frelimo’s rule
Mondlane’s remarks coincide with the impending release of preliminary findings; official results are not expected for another two weeks.
Since taking power in 1975, Frelimo has been accused of manipulating elections on numerous occasions, a charge the party refutes. If Frelimo is proclaimed the victor, Mondlane, who is well-liked among disgruntled young people, promises nonviolent demonstrations and legal challenges, saying, “We are going to instigate an economic shutdown, a total shutdown of the country.”
Civil society organizations have noted certain anomalies, such as election observers being excluded from preliminary counts, even if Mondlane does not have concrete proof of election fraud. If Daniel Chapo, Frelimo’s nominee, is proclaimed the victor, Mondlane is resolved to challenge the results, raising the possibility of chaos.
Economic and peace reform promises
By promising to reroute more profits from global corporations like ExxonMobil toward local development, Mondlane has established himself as a reform candidate.
According to Reuters, he also wants to make more money available to young business owners. Mondlane is also committed to ending the Islamist insurgency in the province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, which has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and stalled significant gas projects.
“It is not possible to have peace in Cabo Delgado excluding the insurgents,” he says, arguing that peace can only be reached through talks with insurgent leaders.
Mondlane’s remarks have sparked worries about potential turmoil as Mozambique awaits the outcome of the election.
As tensions rise in a nation looking for stability amid political and economic difficulties, both the international world and local observers are keeping a careful eye on the situation.
