Mozambique is on high alert as judges prepare to deliver their ruling on the country’s disputed October 9 election.
Tensions are running high, with opposition leader Venancio Mondlane threatening “chaos” if the ruling party, Frelimo, is confirmed as the winner.
The standoff has already led to at least 130 deaths amid widespread unrest.
The Constitutional Council is expected to announce its decision at 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) on Monday, likely validating Frelimo’s victory and paving the way for Daniel Chapo to succeed President Filipe Nyusi, whose second term ends on January 15.
In Maputo, the capital, businesses were closed and the streets were eerily quiet despite it being the festive season.
Police barricaded main roads into the city center and restricted access to key government buildings, including the Constitutional Council’s office and the presidential palace.
Mondlane, who has been in self-imposed exile since the assassination of his lawyer on October 19, an attack he blames on security forces insists that the vote was rigged in favor of Frelimo.
He claims that a separate count shows he actually won, and he is determined to take office.
He warned that Mozambique would face “difficult days” ahead, emphasizing that the Constitutional Council’s decision could either lead to peace or trigger “chaos.”
The dispute has sparked violent protests, crippling major cities, disrupting industries, and even halting cross-border trade with South Africa.
The protests have intensified despite numerous casualties, with police accused of using live ammunition against demonstrators.
According to civil society group Plataforma Decide, at least 130 people have been killed in the unrest, a figure also referenced by Amnesty International.
The situation has prompted the US government to issue a travel warning for Mozambique ahead of the ruling.
Pope Francis called for dialogue and reconciliation on Sunday, urging that goodwill prevail over conflict.
President Nyusi, in his address to the nation on Friday, expressed hope that the final results would pave the way for constructive dialogue.
Preliminary results show Chapo ahead with 71 percent of the vote, while Mondlane, who claims he won 53 percent, finished in second with 20 percent.
However, Mondlane’s supporters argue that the election was deeply flawed and insist that the public demand a fair outcome.
Analysts predict that the ruling will significantly impact the nation’s future, with some warning that if the election result is upheld, violence could escalate further.
Political and security risk experts believe that the protests, which have already been some of the most dangerous in Mozambique’s history, could spiral into even greater unrest, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape.
Mondlane’s opposition to Frelimo has resonated with younger, disillusioned voters, mirroring similar anti-government movements seen in other Southern African nations.
Some observers have likened the unrest to the “Southern African Spring,” drawing parallels to the Arab Spring uprisings in the 2010s.
