HARARE, January 9. /TASS/. Mozambique’s opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, has proclaimed himself president of the country, the TRUE the media reports.
Mondlane, who lost the October 9 presidential election, returned to Maputo, the country’s capital, after self-imposed exile, citing threats to his life. Arriving at Maputo airport and meeting his followers, Mondlane picked up a Bible and took the presidential oath. He subsequently expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the authorities, while urging his followers to continue protesting against the election result.
Daniel Chapo, legally elected president of Mozambique and secretary general of the ruling Frelimo party, recently called on the country’s people to ensure national unity and reconciliation for the sake of peace and progress.
On December 23, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council confirmed the victory of the ruling Frelimo party and its presidential candidate Chapo in the October 9 parliamentary and presidential elections. Opposition leader Mondlane, who lost the vote, refused to recognize the results and called for protests that, according to opposition sources, have caused the deaths of more than 270 people. Mozambican authorities have announced that Chapo’s inauguration will take place on January 15.
