The Mozambique Police disperse a rally by the opposition Venancio Mondlane in Maputo with shots and tear gas

The presidential candidate arrived this Thursday in Maputo amidst strong security measures

Jan. 9 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Mozambique Police have dispersed with gunshots and tear gas a concentration in support of the main opposition candidate in the last presidential elections in October, Venancio Mondlane, who arrived this Thursday in Maputo, the capital, amidst strong security measures after months of self-exile.

“If you want to kill me, do it. If you want to arrest me, arrest me. I know that in my fall, the popular fury that will be generated in Mozambique has no comparison in the history of Africa,” Mondlane said upon his arrival in the capital. .

The incidents took place in the center of Maputo, just a little over an hour after the arrival of Mondlane, who addressed his supporters to once again insist that he will go to the last consequences to reverse the electoral fraud that occurred. in the last elections.

The police charges began minutes after Mondlane finished his speech, although during it the firing of tear gas was heard around the Estrella Market, from where the opponent, perched on the hood of the vehicle, addressed the protesters. his.

The repression by the security forces has brought with it scenes of chaos, with dozens of people fleeing, amid new launches of tear gas and bursts of gunfire that reportedly injured several people. At the moment the whereabouts of Mondlane after these events are not known, reports the Lusa agency.

In recent months, the streets of the country have been the scene of a situation of chaos without near precedents, with one of the biggest political crises in history, as a result of allegations of fraud by the opposition, which has rejected the victory of the ruling party in the October 9 elections.

The instigator of the protests is Venancio Mondlane who has emerged as the main figure of the opposition, as well as the winner of the elections. Throughout these weeks he has insisted on his idea of ​​taking office on January 15, although in recent times he has shown himself willing to negotiate.

In these months of protests, it is estimated that more than 300 people have died, most from firearms, while more than 500 have been injured. Another 4,200 have been detained and dozens more are suspected of being missing.

The candidate of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), Daniel Chapo, won the October 9 elections with 65 percent of the votes, well ahead of the 24 percent obtained by Mondlane who, according to his own figures , would have won with just over 53 percent.