DECEMBER 30, 2024 — Venâncio Mondlane, Mozambique’s main opposition leader, has proposed a radical overhaul of the nation’s symbols and governance, including changes to the national flag and the Constitution, Club of Mozambique reports.
These announcements come amid unrest after the October 9 general elections, which declared Daniel Chapo, the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) candidate, the winner.
Mondlane alleges electoral fraud and has vowed to assume the presidency on January 15, the same day Chapo is set to be sworn in, according to the BBC.
In a Facebook live broadcast, Mondlane announced his vision for the country’s future, which includes replacing the current national flag to remove its depiction of a weapon.
“The flag represents the spirit of a people, and if there is a weapon on the flag, it means our mentality is still armed,” he said.
An open competition for new flag designs is planned, with a deadline set for January 10.
The unrest following the election has escalated into widespread violence, with protests leading to at least 277 deaths since October 21, according to the Decide electoral platform.
Image: Maurits Vermeulen, CC BY-SA 2.0