Political situation in Mozambique

Opposition leader returns from exile

Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned home on Thursday after fleeing the country in the days after the October 9 election.

Security forces fired tear gas at hundreds of his supporters who had gathered outside the airport in the capital Maputo to welcome him, writes AP.

The ruling Frelimo party emerged victorious in the election. But the result has been criticized by several international observers who say it was not a free and fair election, reports Reuters. Something that led to violent riots in which hundreds of people lost their lives.

Mondlane himself feared for his own life after two of his party colleagues were shot dead in a car and therefore chose to leave the country.

Nearly 300 dead in violent riots in Mozambique

278 people have died in recent months of violence in Mozambique after the ruling Frelimo party declared itself the winner of the election in October. This is stated by the civil rights organization Plataforma Decide, according to Reuters.

The Supreme Court has confirmed the election results, but the process has been criticized by international election observers for not being free and transparent, the news agency writes.

Frelimo has ruled the country since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The party has previously been accused of election fraud and the recent protests around Mozambique are seen as the biggest threat to their rule, reports AP