Children killed in attack on Mondlane
The condition of the Mozambican opposition leader himself remains unknown.
Luis Nhachote in Maputo
Hours before Mozambique’s new president signed a pact designed to soothe post-election unrest, unidentified gunmen attacked the country’s most prominent opposition leader.
Venâncio Mondlane’s convoy was shot at on Wednesday in Hulene, Expresso, on the outskirts of Maputo. The incident, which happened just 7km from the Ponta Vermelha Palace where President Daniel Chapo resides, was broadcast live on Venâncio Mondlane’s Facebook page.
The video shows people running away, sandals abandoned in the middle of the road and the bloodied face of one of Mondlane’s aides. Two children were reportedly killed and 16 people injured.
Antonieta Maculuve, a Mondlane supporter who was at the scene, told The Continent: “It was an attack, an assassination attempt, an ambush”.
Mondlane’s team said gunmen emerged from two armoured vehicles and six Mahindras – the Indian car brand often associated with Mozambican police.
Mondlane fled the scene. It is not clear where he is at present.
Nine hours later, President Chapo signed a deal with nine other opposition leaders pledging political commitment to an inclusive national dialogue.
Mondlane was not invited to the talks, despite being the most prominent opposition leader.
Analysts don’t expect the deal to work. “Whether we like it or not, without Venâncio Mondlane this is a joke,” said Baltazar Fael, a researcher at the Centre for Public Integrity, days before the agreement was signed.
Mondlane claims to have won the presidential election in October 2024. Although election observers raised concerns about the credibility of the results, the electoral commission awarded the victory to Chapo, the ruling Frelimo party candidate. Mondlane has been co-ordinating popular resistance ever since, returning from temporary exile in January.
Last week, the mayor of Vilanculos municipality, a member of the Renamo opposition party, handed Mondlane the keys to the city. It was his first public recognition by an authority figure.