Security forces in Mozambique fired live ammunition and tear gas on supporters of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane in a bid to prevent them from reaching the airport to greet him as he returned from self-imposed exile, killing at least one person.
Live images from Maputo broadcast by Al Jazeera on Thursday showed police chasing down protesters, some of whom responded by throwing rocks, as they attempted to breach the main highway leading to the city’s Mavalane International Airport.
News agency AFP reported that one man was killed and several people wounded amid clashes in the capital. Eight wounded were reportedly admitted to the hospital closest to the airport, some with gunshot wounds.
Reporting from Maputo, Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller said police had been “pushing back at protesters, firing tear gas”.
“We also heard live ammunition being used,” she said.
Protesters had grown “increasingly agitated” when they were prevented from reaching the airport, with police continuing to attack them as Mondlane travelled by convoy into the city, where he gave an address speaking about his reasons for returning the country.
Mondlane, who was met by a large group of journalists after exiting the airport building, claims the October 9 election was rigged in favour of the candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, Daniel Chapo, who is due to be sworn in on January 15.
“He says he’s returned to represent Mozambicans because of the dispute around the election results,” said Miller. “He says his absence from Mozambique has been used as an excuse and so he’s trying to pursue a dialogue with the governing Frelimo party.”
Mondlane went into hiding more than two months ago fearing for his life after two senior members of his party were killed in their car by unknown gunmen in the aftermath of the election, which also killed dozens of others.
“I am here in the flesh to say that if you want to negotiate … I am here,” Mondlane told reporters outside the airport.
The election dispute unleashed waves of violence that have left about 300 people dead, including protesters killed in a police crackdown, according to a tally by a local rights group.
Authorities say police officers have also been killed and there has been looting and vandalism. A decision by Mozambique’s top court, the Constitutional Council, to validate the election results triggered more demonstrations.
There were fears that Mondlane could be arrested on his return, including on charges related to the weeks of protests by his supporters, many of them young Mozambicans desperate for change after 50 years under the ruling Frelimo.
Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since the end of the war against Portuguese colonial rule in 1975, denies opposition accusations of electoral fraud. Western observers have said this year’s election was not free and fair.
Al Jazeera’s Miller said the government is blaming Mondlane for “inciting” the unrest across the country in recent weeks.
“They also said that he should pay for the damages caused in Mozambique during that time. The question now is, how will the government now respond?”
Mondlane’s supporters say his return from a two-month exile gives people hope. “We young people are here fighting for our tomorrow,” said Fatima Pinto, 20, who trained as a general medical technician.
