Mozambique’s major opposition chief, Venâncio Mondlane, has declared that he’s going to set up himself as president on 15 January next rejecting his defeat in presidential elections.

His announcement got here as his supporters staged violent protests around the nation to call for an finish to the 49-year-rule of the Frelimo celebration.

The capital Maputo used to be like a ghost the city on Christmas Eve, with nearly all companies close and nation staying at house to keep away from being stuck up within the worst unrest within the town since Frelimo rose to energy at self determination in 1975.

Frelimo’s workplaces, police stations, banks and factories had been looted, vandalised and lit fire across the nation.

The unedited unrest started on Monday next Mozambique’s best possible court docket preserved the victory of Frelimo’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, in elections held in October.

Mondlane had challenged the end result, alleging that the ballot used to be rigged.

In a Fb are living broadcast to his supporters on Tuesday, Mondlane mentioned he uninvited the ruling of the constitutional court docket, including that he would suppose the administrative center of president on 15 January – the past that Chapo is because of be sworn in.

President Filipe Nyusi is because of step ill on the finish of his two phrases.

It’s vague how Mondlane intends to shoot administrative center, as he’s recently in self-imposed exile in an unknown nation.

He has continuously rallied his supporters by way of speeches on Fb are living, however has recommended them to stay non violent.

“We are with the people. We do not advocate any form of violence,” Mondlane mentioned in his unedited cope with.

Chapo has now not but commented on his declaration.

October’s election used to be the primary week either one of them had run for the presidency, with the electoral fee stating Chapo the winner with 71% of the vote to Mondlane’s 20%.

The constitutional court docket revised the end result, giving the Frelimo candidate 65% and Mondlane 24%.

Rights teams say that greater than 100 nation had been killed in unrest for the reason that elections.

They accuse the safety forces of being liable for lots of the killings, however police commander Bernadino Rafael had prior to now advised the BBC that his officials have been protecting themselves next coming beneath assault.

Mondlane fled Mozambique next accusing police of threatening behaviour, and two of his aides have been shot useless in October.

The 50-year-old evangelical pastor contested the election as an detached next breaking clear of the primary opposition Renamo celebration.

His assistance is most powerful amongst younger nation, lots of whom are unemployed and important trade.

Frelimo fielded the 47-year-old Chapo as its youngest ever presidential candidate.

He has prior to now uninvited ideas that he and Frelimo rigged the ballot, pronouncing: “We are an organised party that prepares its victories.”