Opposition politician Venancio Mondlane to stand trial in Mozambique — Al Jazeera English
Opposition politician Venancio Mondlane is preparing to appear before Mozambique’s Supreme Court on five charges related to protests following the presidential election in October 2024. On August 25, 2026, the court notified him of the upcoming hearing. Mondlane is not in custody and said he expects the trial to begin within two to three months, although no specific date has been announced, Al Jazeera English reports.
Five charges
Prosecutors charged Mondlane in July 2025. He is accused of publicly advocating a crime, inciting collective disobedience, public incitement to commit a crime, incitement to terrorism, and public calls for terrorism. According to the prosecution, the politician contributed to the unrest by calling for protests and other forms of resistance, including through social media posts. Mondlane rejects the charges.
In the 2024 election, Mondlane, an independent candidate backed by the Podemos party, came second behind Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo). The Constitutional Council confirmed Chapo’s victory with 65.17% of the vote, while Mondlane received 24.19%. The opposition politician did not recognize the results and said that he had won the election.
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Demonstrations continued in the country for several months after the disputed results. According to Reuters, more than 300 people were killed in the post-election unrest.
Immunity and possible consequences
After the election, Mondlane became a member of Mozambique’s Council of State, an advisory body to the president. Council members have immunity. By a decision of the Council of State dated June 10, 2026, Mondlane’s immunity was suspended to continue consideration of case No. 52/2025-P in the Supreme Court. The decision was made public in August, after Mondlane said he had received notification of the court proceedings.
The politician challenged the decision, arguing that the Council of State has no legal authority to suspend the immunity of its members. In September 2025, the Institute for Security Studies noted that the charges could prevent Mondlane from running in the 2029 presidential election. Lawyer Esau Cossa also suggested that the case could affect his right to participate in elections. However, this is not a judicial conclusion: the trial has not yet begun, and Mondlane has not been convicted.
