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.

Mozambique’s main opposition leader has returned from exile as security forces fired tear gas at hundreds of his supporters who gathered near the main international airport to welcome him home.

Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned home on Thursday, after fleeing in the days following a hotly contested October election that sparked demonstrations in which scores of protesters have been killed.

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.

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

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

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.

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,

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.