Mozambique’s social media platforms have been restricted as Venâncio Mondlane, a main opposition figure in last month’s disputed presidential election, remains in hiding and calls for nationwide protests. Mondlane, a part-time pastor and independent candidate, claims he was the rightful winner and accuses the authorities of intimidation.
According to police, Mondlane is believed to have fled to neighboring South Africa. From his hiding place, he has been using social media to urge his supporters to protest the election results, which declared Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party as the winner.
The political climate in Mozambique has been tense since the results were announced. Mondlane went underground after two of his aides were shot dead in the days leading up to the election results, sparking claims of political violence.
Mondlane has accused the government of orchestrating the killings of his lawyer, Elvino Dias, and Paulo Guambe, an official from the opposition Podemos party that supported his candidacy—a claim that the government denies.
In response to rising public unrest, authorities have limited access to popular social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, as protests broke out in the aftermath of the results. Demonstrations have continued in multiple cities, and the national police have been actively intervening.
Police chief Bernardino Rafael described many of the protests as “very violent,” stating that his officers have been dispatched to control nearly 60 demonstrations.
At least 10 people have reportedly been killed by security forces during the post-election protests, and dozens more have sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds, according to the Order of Doctors, an independent association of medical professionals.
Internet watchdog NetBlocks reported disruptions to mobile data services soon after the election on October 9. Since then, intermittent blocks on social media platforms have continued, which analysts suspect are intended to hamper protesters’ ability to communicate and organize.
Meanwhile, the contested election results remain under scrutiny. Officially, Chapo won with 71% of the vote, while Mondlane came in second with 20%, and Ossufo Momade of the Renamo party secured 6%. However, the opposition party Podemos has taken the case to the Constitutional Court, citing electoral irregularities.
International observers have also raised concerns, pointing to alleged vote tampering and inconsistencies in the tallying process. The Constitutional Court has since ordered the electoral commission to provide all records for review.
As protests continue, Mondlane has issued a call to action, encouraging his supporters to undertake a “week-long paralysis” of economic activity. “Seven days without work are better than five years of misery,” he said in a recent Facebook live broadcast, where he urged people to “occupy” key government buildings, including the presidential palace in the capital, Maputo.
Economic fallout from the protests has taken a toll on businesses across Mozambique, with the head of the national trade association, CTA, stating that the impact has been “worse than Covid-19.” Many shops and public services have been forced to close, and public transport remains scarce as Mozambicans choose to stay home due to safety concerns.
President-elect Chapo is set to succeed Filipe Nyusi, who has led Mozambique since independence from Portugal, marking an unbroken line of Frelimo rule.
For now, the country waits to see how the Constitutional Court will respond to the opposition’s demands for accountability and whether Mondlane’s supporters will heed his call for sustained demonstrations.