Mozambique’s opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, who has been leading over two months of protests against disputed election results from outside the country, announced plans to return this week ahead of the new president’s inauguration.

In a Facebook Live broadcast, Mondlane revealed he would return on Thursday January 9th 2025. He had left Mozambique on October 21st 2024, citing threats to his life while challenging the results of the October 9th presidential election, which declared him runner-up to ruling Frelimo party candidate, Daniel Chapo.

Chapo is set to be sworn in as president on January 15. The contested election has sparked nationwide unrest, with recent days seeing police stations, banks, and factories looted and set ablaze.