Regarding the trial of engineer Venâncio A. Mondlane: My solidarity and repudiation of the rhetoric of violence

Roberto Tibana"

The context and eminently political nature of the political events that are now being litigated, instead of being debated and resolved in a political forum, justify the concern of Venâncio Mondlane's supporters that the accusations and trial have the hallmarks of persecution by his opponents now in power, aimed at removing him from the political arena. However, this does not justify a rhetoric of threats of violence which, not only has nothing to do with his fighting strategy, but may even serve to weaken the cause he leads and reinforce the prosecution's arguments by association. 1. CONTEXT By orchestrating the dragging of Engineer Venâncio A. Mondlane to court, with accusations of crimes allegedly committed by him in the context of the political struggle while a Presidential Candidate in the 2024 General Elections, the Mozambican authorities have elevated the judicialization of politics in the country to the highest possible level. In the past, we have had cases involving politicians, including Engineer Venâncio Mondlane himself, in which internal disputes within political parties were taken to judicial arbitration. This is legitimate, insofar as the State itself legislated the normative framework for the existence, objectives, and general principles of organization and functioning of political parties and their relationship with society and the State, enshrining them as the legitimate and constitutionally guaranteed form of free and democratic participation of citizens in the political life of the country. Having created this framework, the State itself was obliged to monitor and be available to assist petitioning citizens to ensure that it is observed. But the present case has a qualitatively different outline. It is the State that takes the initiative to prosecute a politician, incidentally the most prominent in the country and the main opponent of the ruling party, for violating the law in the context of an eminently political dispute during and in the immediate days following an electoral process with highly contestable results. 2. Solidarity with engineer Venâncio Mondlane and the cause he leads. My friendship and solidarity with Engineer Venâncio Mondlane and the cause he leads has never been hidden. It aligns with my ideals of a more just and democratic society, of justice and equal opportunities for all Mozambicans. The modest contribution I have made is my way of practicing citizenship and joining forces with those who share the same ideals. When he decided to return to the country from the exile he had been forced into as a way to protect himself from the regime's attacks against his physical integrity, he took not only an act of courage, but also of integrity and moral and political responsibility towards his followers and sympathizers who were fearlessly engaged in the fight against the state's terrorist attacks aimed at suppressing peaceful protests for just causes. With this act he reaffirmed his commitment to continue carrying out a political struggle by peaceful means, which he had pursued even from exile, and of which I am a witness, since he entrusted me with undertaking démarches that could lead to a dialogue with his opponents in a process of creating concord, pacification, and a true compact for economic, social, and political development for the benefit of all Mozambicans. As would be proven, both these initiatives and others subsequently carried out by other individuals resulted in failure not due to a lack of will and commitment on the part of Engineer Mondlane, but clearly on the part of his political opponents. I welcome and rejoice in Engineer Mondlane's continued willingness, availability, and readiness to present himself to the judicial authorities in the appropriate forum to defend himself against the accusations leveled against him by the regime. My deepest conviction is that this will truly be a trial imposed by the regime itself, and that, contrary to the accusation drawn up by the Attorney General's Office and pronounced by the investigation, if duly examined, the facts will point the finger at the regime and demonstrate its innocence and the justice of the cause and the acts committed by the accused. 3. The rhetoric of violence does not serve the cause. The current context does not justify the rhetoric of violence or threats of violence disseminated on social media by Mr. Messias Uarreno, Internal Secretary General of the ANAMOLA Party, even if, as he claims, he is issuing them in his personal capacity. Given Mr. Uarreno's position within the ANAMOLA party, his rhetoric of violence risks reinforcing the narrative of the accusation that associates Engineer Mondlane with instigating violence. Therefore, I condemn this rhetoric of violence, whether from him or any other citizen, be they a member or sympathizer of the ANAMOLA party or not. Venâncio Mondlane has always refused to resort to violent forms of struggle. Although he recognizes and suffers from the cost in lives that the attacks by law enforcement agents have inflicted on his followers, he deeply believes that the success of the cause he leads is better guaranteed by peaceful means. Therefore, he has acted to systematically thwart the regime's attempts to push him into the mountains. That is why, upon his return from exile, he and his supporters who were going to greet him were met with gunfire in scenes that we all witnessed live on television and social media. This was the greatest demonstration of the frustration of his opponents in the government, who expected that from his temporary exile for self-preservation and the continuation of the struggle for the cause, he would move to the mountains and take the fight to an armed path that would better serve the objectives of preserving the regime. Most of Venâncio Mondlane's supporters, many of whom are now gathered in the ANAMOLA party, also do not condone violent methods. When violence occurred, it was in an act of self-defense and containment of terrorist attacks perpetrated by the defense and security forces against peaceful demonstrators, even victimizing citizens not involved in acts of protest. Venâncio Mondlane and the party he leads have documented and denounced to the authorities, the diplomatic corps, and international bodies the loss of dozens of collaborators killed and arbitrarily imprisoned. This, however, has not led the competent national entities, such as the Attorney General's Office, to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice, much less those who ordered the killings. However, Venâncio Mondlane always refused to resort to violent forms of struggle. During the post-election demonstrations, whenever violence occurred, it was initiated by the authorities, to such an extent that at times people had to resort to forms of deterrence to compel the agents of the Defense and Security forces to refrain, as permitted by law, from carrying out illegal orders that led them to victimize innocent people, often fatally. For those who sympathize with the cause led by Engineer Mondlane, it is reassuring to note that the official statement from the party he leads, ANAMOLA, has adopted a stance that distances itself from the rhetoric of violence, while still reaffirming its determination to continue a robust political struggle and denouncing the political persecution inherent in the accusations against him. 4. AND FROM HERE, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? In his communication this week, Engineer Venâncio Mondlane appealed to the media and judicial entities to prepare in a timely manner to allow the entire society to follow the trial, through public media and physical presence at the trial venue to the extent logistically possible. I hope that the entities involved will respond positively. Nothing should be done to give the authorities grounds to act otherwise and prevent society from following the trial, which will constitute an important historical moment. I would like to conclude this note by saying that we should all wait with serenity and confidence in our justice system. Unfortunately, this becomes difficult in a country where judicial decisions often seem to result from a game of chance. Even so, sooner or later, The cause will triumph!

2025/12/3