After a self-imposed exile, Venâncio Mondlane was welcomed home by delirious crowds supporting his claim that the country’s last election was stolen from him by corrupt elites.

Mozambique's main opposition leader returned from weeks of exile Thursday, insisting he won October's presidential elections and welcomed by thousands of jubilant supporters but at least one person was killed as police tried to disperse the crowds.

The unrest has left hundreds of people dead and injured, interrupted regional energy supplies, severed a key global trade route for chrome used to make stainless steel, and prompted a nascent supplier of graphite to Tesla to declare force majeure.

Some speculate that Frelimo has been instigating chaos as an excuse to crack down. Security forces have killed around 300 people since the protests began, including 176 in the final week of December alone,

Venâncio Mondlane, presidential candidate of Mozambique’s Podemos party, returns to Maputo on Thursday to announce a new phase of protests. After two months abroad, he vows to end the violence, honouring the victims and challenging the election results that led to widespread unrest.

Mozambique's opposition leader is expected to return from exile Thursday to push his claim to have won presidential elections, risking an escalation in a dispute about the vote just days

MAPUTO - Mozambique's opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane is set to return to Mozambique tomorrow. He fled the country following elections in October due to safety concerns. WATCH | Several organisations in PTA to submit request for interventions in Mozambique's case to the African court The disputed election results sparked violent protests,