Mozambique Court Gives Mondlane 20 Days to Defend Election Challenge
Former Presidential Candidate Faces State Lawsuit Over Protests
A Maputo court has ordered former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane to submit a defense within 20 days against a lawsuit filed by the Mozambican state. The case stems from demonstrations following the October elections, which Mondlane contested.
Legal Action and Allegations
The lawsuit, being heard in the ninth section of the Maputo City Judicial Court, seeks compensation for damages allegedly caused by protests organized after the election results were announced. The Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated the action, but specific details of the charges remain undisclosed.
According to reports, the Mozambican Public Prosecutor’s Office is seeking €445,000 (approximately 32,377,276.46 meticais) for damages incurred in Maputo alone. The state alleges that Mondlane and Albino Forquilha, president of the Podemos party, incited citizens to disrupt public order and damage property.
“Despite warnings and summons issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the co-defendants [Venâncio Mondlane and Albino Forquilha] continued to call for mass participation by citizens in the aforementioned protest movements, inciting them to anger and the paralysis of all activities in the country.”
—Public Prosecutor’s Office communique
Political instability and protests are unfortunately common globally. In 2023, protests related to political and economic grievances occurred in over 150 countries and territories, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
Restrictions and New Political Alliance
In March, authorities revoked Mondlane’s identity and residence permits, restricting his travel and movement. He reported being questioned for over ten hours regarding his alleged role in inciting violence during post-election unrest. He stated he is currently involved in eight separate cases related to the protests.
Despite the legal challenges, Venâncio Mondlane has moved forward with establishing a new political party, the National Alliance for a Free and Autonomous Mozambique (Anamalala). An application for legalization was submitted to the Ministry of Justice in April.
Mondlane, who led the most significant challenge to election results in Mozambique since 1994, previously met with President Daniel Chapo in March and May in an attempt to de-escalate tensions and promote national reconciliation. Mondlane labeled the legal action against him as “persecution” in a recent Facebook post.
