
By Sama Marwan,
Mozambican authorities have announced the withdrawal of the diplomatic passport of opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who recently returned to the country after a period of self-imposed exile. The decision comes in response to his protests against the results of the presidential elections held last October.

The National Immigration Service (SENAMI) stated in an official statement on Sunday that Mondlane’s diplomatic passport is “no longer valid due to his resignation from his position as a member of parliament on June 3 of last year.” The statement clarified that Mondlane’s resignation from parliament “nullified his right to use the diplomatic passport,” particularly after he decided to run as an independent candidate in the presidential elections.
The immigration authority added that if Mondlane wishes to obtain another passport, he can apply for an ordinary passport.
Mondlane returned to Mozambique after a two-and-a-half-month absence, having left the country following the disputed presidential elections on October 9, 2024. Thousands of supporters welcomed him at Maputo International Airport amid heavy security presence.
In his first statements after his return, Mondlane declared himself “the people’s elected president,” rejecting the official election results, which declared Daniel Chapo from the ruling FRELIMO party as the winner with 65.17% of the votes, while Mondlane secured 24.19%.
Mozambique has experienced violent unrest since the elections, with nearly 300 people killed and over 600 injured.
The unrest continued on the day of Mondlane’s return last Thursday, when three of his supporters were killed, six others injured, and two police officers killed in the northern part of the country.