Mozambican opposition leader Mondlane absent at protest he called for: Video
After calling for a nationwide protest on November 7 against the official October 9 presidential results, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane said he would not participate in the protests.
Speaking to AFP on Thursday, November 7, the leader shared that due to threats to his life, supporters on various social media platforms have warned him to protect himself.
"I wanted so much to be in Maputo with my people, but unfortunately, I received more than 5,000 messages on WhatsApp and more than 10,000 messages on Facebook. Everyone, 99% of those messages discouraged me from going to Maputo. Unfortunately, I won't be able to be there," he said.
Venancio has been in hiding overseas since October following violent protests that erupted after the ruling FRELIMO party, which has been in power for fifty years, secured victory.
Despite Venancio's absence, his supporters poured out in their numbers on the streets of Maputo on Thursday morning.
According to a Reuters witness, security forces were heavily deployed along the main highway as large crowds attempted to enter the city on foot.
However, Mozambican police fired another round of tear gas at hundreds of opposition supporters gathering in the capital for the largest protest yet against last month's contested election.
On Saturday, November 2, police in Maputo, dispersed hundreds of protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Clashes between protesters and police were also reported in Nampula, nearly 2,000 kilometres from the capital, after approximately 500 people took to the streets to challenge the election results.
Human rights groups report that at least 18 people have been killed in the police crackdown on protests since the October 9 vote.
