In Mozambique, the protest has a first name: Venancio

In Mozambique, where revolt has been brewing for months against an election deemed stolen by the historic ruling party, young people are chanting « Venancio » as a rallying cry, invoking Venancio Mondlane, the charismatic leader of an opposition that refuses to bend.

This parliamentarian and former television columnist, who promised to return Thursday from an exile decided after the assassination of two of his relatives in October, maintains a singular closeness with his supporters who refer to him only by his first name.

Multiplying lives on social networks, in which he discusses « Venancio » in the third person, this slender and flirtatious 50-year-old man, three-piece suit and imposing hair, has built a network of sympathizers online.

He had promised « chaos » in the Portuguese-speaking country of southern Africa if the Constitutional Council confirmed before Christmas the result of the presidential election of October 9, crediting it with only 20% of the votes.

The highest court in the country finally awarded him a little more, with 24.19% of the votes, but he continues to claim victory after almost three months of demonstrations, strikes and blockades, which have already cost the lives of some 300 people. , according to a local NGO.

Solo rider

« Venancio » instilled the “the most dangerous post-election protest” of the country’s history, estimates researcher Borges Nhamirre.

For 50 years, Frelimo, which has ruled the country since independence, “ruled without opposition”summarizes analyst Johann Smith. “After each vote, they cut the cake. But for the first time, someone told them: ‘No, I don’t want a 20% share, the cake is mine’continues this expert based in Maputo.

Venancio, who claims a score of 53%, has dynamited Mozambican political codes, right down to his neat afro cut. Eleven years after his debut in politics, he dethroned the historic Renamo party as the main opposition force.

The trained agricultural engineer joined this training resulting from the civil war (1975-1992) in 2018.

In 2023, he campaigns under the colors of Renamo in the 2023 municipal elections in the capital. Believing that he had won, contrary to the official results, he mobilized the demonstrators.

Unable to be nominated as a presidential candidate, he left Renamo and went it alone, joining the modest Podemos party for the legislative elections which took place in parallel.

« VM7 »

« Venancio » broke through around fifteen years ago as a political columnist on a private TV channel. His fierce criticism of the government and his oratorical talent set him apart.

“For the first time in a long time, there is a charismatic leader in Mozambique. He speaks to the man in the street, to the peasant”observe Johann Smith.

His inventiveness has been illustrated in his calls for pan concerts or snail operations since the proclaimed victory of Frelimo, whose credibility is called into question by the quantity of irregularities noted by international observers.

Also called « VM7 » because he would be to politics what another Portuguese speaker, Cristiano Ronaldo (baptized CR7), is to football, Venancio Mondlane does not panic the goal scorers but the views: his live broadcasts on Facebook are regularly viewed by more than two million people. times.

Corruption, poverty or kidnappings – which are commonplace in Mozambique – are the favorite themes of the man who grew up in Matola, the most populous city in the country, near the capital.

He has a sense of the formula. Regarding young people deprived of prospects in this unequal country, he notably said: “If they are marginalized today, it is because someone has marginalized them. »

Entering Mozambican homes thanks to these regular meetings on the internet, he concludes them with an invariable “Kisses, kisses and kisses! »which he accompanies with specific gestures, like an influencer.

Before going underground, he took pleasure in attracting crowds, standing on a van, swaying to the rhythm of the speakers and singing: “Who is the people’s candidate? It’s Venancio! »