- The opposition leader faces charges of incitement to terrorism for leading post-election protests
- As a member of the Council of State, Mondlane cannot be arrested without prior deliberation by the body to which he belongs.
By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Venâncio Mondlane was sworn in on Monday in Maputo as a member of the Council of State, in a ceremony where other members of the body also took office.
Mondlane automatically became a member of the Council of State by virtue of being the second most voted presidential candidate in the 2024 elections, according to official results. His entry into the Council grants him immunity, meaning he cannot be detained without prior authorisation from the body.
The opposition leader rejected the election results, alleging widespread fraud, and led protests from October 2024 to March 2025 that resulted in more than 380 deaths, most of them in clashes with the Police. As a result, the Public Prosecutor’s Office charged Mondlane with several crimes, including incitement to terrorism, an offence punishable with a lengthy prison sentence.
The criminal case against the opposition leader is still ongoing, with no clear information about its stage. However, the possibility of his detention is considered low, given his popularity, especially among urban youth, which could trigger a major public uprising. His swearing-in as a member of the Council of State further shields him from possible arrest, as his immunity can only be lifted by a decision of the body.
The Council of State is an advisory body to the Head of State on matters of national importance, such as the dissolution of Parliament, the declaration of war, a state of siege or emergency, the holding of referenda or the convening of general elections.
Its members include former heads of state, the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman and other figures appointed by the President and Parliament.
Following the swearing-in of the new members, President Daniel Chapo said that “the fact that the body brings together personalities with different political ideologies will make its decisions more representative of the thinking of the Mozambican people”. (MT)
