After a self-imposed exile, Venâncio Mondlane was welcomed home by delirious crowds supporting his claim that the country’s last election was stolen from him by corrupt elites.

By Manuel Mucari and Custodio Cossa MAPUTO (Reuters) -Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned from self-exile on Thursday, defiantly claiming to have won a hotly contested October election,

Injuries reported as police fire tear gas and live ammunition as Venancio Mondlane lands in Maputo after disputed vote.

Supporters of Mozambique's opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane have been injured as police tried to break up the crowds who had come to meet him after his return from self-imposed exile on Thursday. He had left the country saying he thought his life was in danger following October's disputed presidential election that sparked deadly protests.

Police in Mozambique fired tear gas at demonstrators welcoming the return of opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane after October's disputed vote. View on euronews

Protests have continued, sporadically, for more than two months, and Mondlane's return could add fuel to the fire.

Opposition politician Venancio Mondlane returned to the country on Thursday ahead of the scheduled inauguration of the ruling party candidate Danial Chapo, who was declared winner of the October 9, 2024 presidential election.

Mozambique's main opposition leader returned from weeks of exile Thursday, insisting he won October's presidential elections and welcomed by thousands of jubilant supporters, although one person was killed as police tried to disperse the crowds.

Some speculate that Frelimo is instigating chaos as an excuse to crack down. Security forces have killed around 300 people since the protests began, including 176 in the final week of December alone,