Venancio Mondlane’s recent general strike call was largely ignored, with public life remaining stable in Maputo. Transportation was limited, but schools opened, contrasting with prior strikes. Violence erupted in Casa Branca, resulting in fatalities. Mondlane’s attempt to redefine Heroes’ Day sparked controversy, as official celebrations proceeded under President Chapo amid ongoing tensions with Frelimo’s legacy.
On Tuesday, former Mozambican presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane called for a general strike to honor “the true heroes of the people”. However, the response was muted, with many citizens disregarding the call. Unlike previous strikes, Maputo appeared relatively normal, devoid of the disturbances typically associated with Mondlane’s prior actions, such as street blockades and violence.
Most schools in Maputo remained open, providing a contrast to earlier strikes in November and December when educational institutions were largely closed. Nevertheless, public transport saw significant disruptions as minibus owners refrained from operating their vehicles due to security concerns. Although there was a notable absence of violence reported compared to past events, several shopkeepers chose to keep their businesses closed.
By midday, there was a report of violence in the Casa Branca area, where police confronted crowds using tear gas and live ammunition, claiming that bullets should only be a last resort. This incident resulted in at least two deaths, as noted by the “Decide” Electoral Platform. Additionally, Mondlane’s supporters have reportedly faced increased violence, with 15 supporters allegedly murdered since December, alongside a single incident involving a senior Frelimo member.
The strike was prompted by Mondlane’s cancellation of Heroes’ Day celebrations scheduled for 3 February, which commemorated the assassination of Eduardo Mondlane in 1969, Frelimo’s founder. Mondlane proclaimed a shift of Heroes’ Day to 18 March, to mark the police’s violent suppression of demonstrators memorializing popular musician Edson da Luz, also known as Azagaia. Despite Mondlane’s declaration, the official ceremonies proceeded as planned under President Daniel Chapo in Heroes Square.
Mondlane’s unilateral declaration to change national commemorative days raised constitutional questions, as he appointed his own list of heroes, featuring Eduardo Mondlane and other significant historical figures. This list included notable victims of political violence, human rights advocates, and those investigating corruption within Mozambique’s banking sector, reflecting Mondlane’s complex relationship with Frelimo’s legacy.
The recent call for a general strike by Venancio Mondlane was largely ignored by the community, reflecting a shift in public sentiment and diminished influence compared to previous strikes. Despite significant unrest and violence reported in recent months against Mondlane’s supporters, public life in Maputo and its surrounding areas remained largely unaffected. The controversy surrounding the declared Heroes’ Day highlights ongoing tensions within Mozambique’s political landscape, especially regarding the legacy of Frelimo and competing narratives of national heroes. Mondlane’s decision to substitute meaning associated with the original Heroes’ Day further complicates political discourse in Mozambique.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
