Mozambique president meets opposition leader Mondlane for first time since disputed poll

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo met with his main rival, former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, on Sunday night. The meeting, held at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre in Maputo, marked the first time the two men had met since the general elections held on October 9 last year.

According to a statement issued by Chapo's office, the meeting was part of "the continual effort to promote national stability and strengthen the commitment to reconciliation and unity among Mozambicans."

The statement highlighted the need for dialogue between various political and social forces to restore trust in institutions and guarantee a harmonious future for all Mozambicans.

Mondlane, who came second in the presidential election with 25 per cent of the vote, also issued a statement, saying that the meeting was aimed at finding a national solution to the country's extreme insecurity situation.

He promised to make a live broadcast in the near future to explain the reasons for the meeting and outline the next steps to be taken.

Neither Chapo nor Mondlane disclosed the details of their discussion, leaving many to speculate about the outcome of the meeting.

Calming political tensions

The meeting is seen as a significant step towards calming the political tensions that have gripped the country since the disputed election results were announced.

The Constitutional Council's decision to declare Chapo the winner, despite Mondlane's claims of widespread fraud, has led to clashes between Mondlane supporters and the police, resulting in the deaths of over 300 people.

Mondlane, who split from the opposition Podemos party, has been a vocal critic of Chapo's government.

Despite his popularity among young people, Mondlane did not participate in the post-election dialogue between Chapo and nine other parties, including Podemos.

March in Maputo

Instead, Mondlane organised a march in Maputo, which became violent when police clashed with his supporters, leaving 14 people wounded. The situation escalated further when police opened fire on a crowd during another protest, killing at least two people.

Chapo's office described the meeting as a symbol of the desire to build bridges and promote open dialogue.

This development comes after Mondlane was questioned by prosecutors and placed under judicial supervision.

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The presidential election results, which gave Chapo 65 per cent of the vote and Mondlane 24 per cent, are still disputed.

Mondlane claims he won 53 per cent of the vote and has garnered significant support, posing a challenge to the ruling Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since 1975.