The presidential candidate of the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), Venâncio Mondlane, is taking part remotely this Wednesday, 18 December, in an informal meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
According to a note from the European Parliament’s Press and Communication Service, quoted by DW , the meeting will also be attended by Renew Europe MEP Ana Vasconcelos, elected on the Liberal Initiative list in Portugal, and MEP Rui Rocha, leader of the same party.
The document describes Mondlane as ‘a prominent Mozambican politician who ran with the support of the Podemos party and won 20 per cent of the vote, becoming a central figure in challenging allegations of electoral fraud’.
‘He is widely recognised for his strong defence of democracy, accountability and sustainable development,’ the note added.
Venâncio Mondlane is contesting the victory of Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), with 70.67% of the vote, according to the results announced on 24 October by the CNE and which have yet to be validated by the Constitutional Council.
Since 21 October, Mozambique has been experiencing successive stoppages and demonstrations, all over the country, which have degenerated into clashes with the police that have left more than a hundred people dead.
Mondlane, who has been calling for this protest on the streets, guarantees that only two measures can lead him to suspend these protests: ‘Firstly, electoral truth. Then, compensation for the families of those killed, unconditional assistance for the injured and the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested.’
