Venâncio Mondlane: Mozambique’s opposition leader has vowed to appoint himself president

The latest unrest erupted on Monday after Mozambique’s highest court upheld the victory of Frelimo’s presidential candidate Daniel Chapo in October elections.

Mondlane contested the result, claiming the vote was rigged.

In a Facebook live broadcast to his supporters on Tuesday, Mondlane said he rejected the constitutional court’s decision, adding that he would take office as president on January 15 – the day Chapo will be sworn in.

President Filipe Nyusi must resign at the end of his two terms.

It is unclear how Mondley intends to take office, as he is currently in exile in an unknown country.

He has rallied his supporters through frequent Facebook Live speeches, but has urged them to remain peaceful.

“We stand with the people. We do not support any violence,” Mondlane said in a recent address.

Chapo has not yet commented on his statement.

The October elections were the first time both of them ran for the presidency, with the electoral commission declaring Chapo the winner with 71% of the vote and Mondlay with 20%.

The Constitutional Court reviewed the result, giving the Frelimo candidate 65% and Mondlane 24%.

Rights groups say more than 100 people have died in the unrest since the election.

They accuse the security forces of being responsible for many of the killings, but police chief Bernadino Rafael previously told the BBC that his officers had defended themselves after being attacked.

Mondlane fled Mozambique after accusing police of threatening behaviour, and two of his aides were shot dead in October.

The 50-year-old evangelical priest ran as an independent candidate after leaving the main opposition Renamo party.

Its support is strongest among young people, many of whom are unemployed and demanding change.

Frelimo nominated 47-year-old Chapo as the youngest presidential candidate.

“We are an organized party that prepares its victories,” he said earlier, dismissing suggestions that he and Frelimo had rigged the poll.