On January 9th, 2025, former Mozambique opposition leader, Afonso Dhlakama, is set to return to the country after spending several years in exile. Dhlakama, a prominent figure in Mozambique’s political landscape, had fled the country in 2019 due to rising political tensions and fears for his safety. His return marks a significant moment in the nation’s political history, as it reflects both the ongoing struggles for democratic reforms and the potential for reconciliation in a country with a history of political conflict.
Dhlakama, who led the opposition party Renamo (Resistência Nacional Moçambicana), has been a major player in Mozambique’s political sphere for decades. Renamo, which was initially established as a guerrilla movement during the Mozambican Civil War (1977-1992), became a political party after the end of the conflict. Dhlakama, who took over the leadership of Renamo after the death of its founder, has long been a vocal critic of the ruling Frelimo party, which has dominated Mozambique’s politics since the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
The decision for Dhlakama’s return follows a series of discussions between Renamo and the Frelimo government. These talks have been aimed at fostering peace and dialogue, with both sides agreeing to work together to ease tensions and address the underlying causes of political instability. The peace process, initiated in the early 2010s, had faced significant challenges but saw a major breakthrough with the signing of a peace agreement in 2019, which officially ended decades of violence and unrest between the two factions.
However, despite the formal peace deal, there have been sporadic outbreaks of violence, and many Renamo supporters feel that the agreement has not been fully implemented. Dhlakama’s return is expected to bring renewed focus to these issues and could potentially help further stabilize the political situation in Mozambique. His return is seen as a step toward national unity, as he has indicated his willingness to engage in dialogue with the government and work toward reforms that will benefit all Mozambicans, particularly in terms of economic development, decentralization of power, and social justice.
The former opposition leader’s return is also symbolic of Mozambique’s ongoing efforts to reconcile after decades of conflict and division. It is hoped that his presence will encourage political cooperation and contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions in the country. While there are many challenges ahead, Dhlakama’s return represents a pivotal moment in Mozambique’s political trajectory and offers a chance for healing in a nation that has long struggled with political polarization and economic inequality.
