Mozambique: Forquilha to Testify At Mondlane's Trial

What the report says

Albino Forquilha, leader of Mozambique’s PODEMOS party, said he will testify in the criminal trial of former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, according to Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique via AllAfrica. Forquilha made the remarks in Maputo while speaking on the sidelines of a training session for PODEMOS lawmakers at parliament. PODEMOS is now the country’s largest opposition party, holding 43 seats.

Mondlane, who leads the National Alliance for a Free and Autonomous Mozambique (Anamola), faces five charges tied to post-election protests following the October 2024 general election. The article says the demonstrations began peacefully but later turned violent. The charges include public apology for a crime, incitement to collective disobedience, public instigation to crime, and incitement to terrorism.

The report says Mozambique’s Council of State recently agreed to lift Mondlane’s immunity so he can be tried, and the Supreme Court has summoned him for a hearing scheduled for next October. Forquilha said he was notified and intends to appear as a witness. The case matters because Mondlane is described as a prominent opposition figure with significant public support, and the trial is likely to be closely watched in Mozambique’s political landscape.

The article also notes that PODEMOS and Mondlane had previously cooperated during the presidential campaign before later breaking apart over ideological differences.