Opposition leader 'will return'

SADC and UN raise concerns as unrest causes major loss of life.

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The Mozambique opposition leader who has led more than two months of deadly protests against disputed election results from outside the country announced on Sunday he would return ahead of the inauguration of the new president.

Venancio Mondlane, who left Mozambique after his lawyer was gunned down on 19 October, said in a Facebook live address he would arrive at Maputo's Mavalane airport on Thursday.

From self-exile in an unknown location, he called for demonstrations against the results of the 9 October election, which he says were rigged in favour of the ruling Frelimo party in power for 50 years.

The protests have been met with a tough police crackdown. The violence has left around 300 people dead, according to a tally by a local rights group, with authorities also reporting looting and vandalism.

"If they are killing my brothers, they are murdering my brothers, then I will be there," Mondlane said. "If it's for me, if it's because of Venancio, then Venancio will be, on Thursday, at 8am, at Mavalane International Airport," he said.