What does Mondlane’s trial mean for Mozambique?
The opposition politician faces five charges over protests that followed the disputed 2024 election.
Maputo, Mozambique – Nearly two years after a disputed presidential election was followed by months of protests in Mozambique, opposition politician Venancio Mondlane is preparing to face trial before the country’s Supreme Court.
Mondlane was notified by the court on August 25, 2026, that he would stand trial over five charges linked to the protests that followed the October 2024 election. He is not under arrest and has not yet stood trial. Mondlane said he expected proceedings to begin within two or three months, although no exact date had been announced.
The charges are public advocacy of crime, incitement to collective disobedience, public instigation to a crime, instigation to terrorism and incitement to terrorism. Prosecutors brought the charges in July 2025 over Mondlane’s alleged role in the post-election unrest. He denies the accusations.
He returned from self-imposed exile on January 9, 2025, six days before Chapo was due to be sworn in as president.