• A protester reacts near a burning barricade during a "national shutdown" against the election outcome, at Luis Cabral township in Maputo, Mozambique, November 7, 2024.

Calm has returned to Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, after weeks of unrest over October’s disputed general election.

Monday’s ruling by Mozambique’s Supreme Court confirming the victory of the long-ruling Frelimo party sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters, who say the vote was rigged.

Opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane on Friday addressed his followers on social media, saying that he would announce a further plan of action in due course.

Mondlane is believed to have fled the country.

“Maputo this morning is quite calm, since Venancio Mondlane spoke yesterday- during the live, announcing that on Monday, he’ll announce another stage of the streak- so people are calm. Nampula, Gaza province, the situation is becoming tricky because there are some people, who are continuing protesting- who are continuing blocking the roads. For example, the main road is also blocked in Bobole, next to Manica – Maputo. But in Nampula for example, there is a group called Naparama- who still are demonstrating, fighting, fighting against the army,” says social activist and President of Mozambique’s Youth Parliament David Fardo.

Inmates escaped prison during the unrest: