Venancio Mondlane, a major opposition figure in Mozambique, has said that he is willing to serve in the government of his rival, Daniel Chapo, who was sworn in as President last week. Chapo won a disputed election last year, which saw waves of unrest break out in that country. About 300 people died during the unrest.
Chapo is reportedly “considering” whether to invite Mondlane into government. Many observers believe that Mondlane was the true winner of October’s election.
According to the BBC, Mondlane had a number of demands which would lead to him telling his supporters to suspend protests and where he would consider joining a unity government. These include:
- The unconditional release of about 5,000 people detained for participating in demonstrations against the election results
- Paying financial compensation to the families of people killed by police during the protests; and
- Offering free medical treatment for about 200 people injured by the police.
Chapo has said he wants to form a government “open to all Mozambicans”.
Chapo is the fifth President of Mozambique, all of whom have been from the Frelimo party which has governed the country since 1975.
[Image: Alfredo Jr./VOA Português, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147502087]