Relations between presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane and the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS) seem to be breaking down. This is due to the party's early claim to be the main opposition party in the 10th legislature.

In an open letter dated January 7th, to which the MZNews had access to, presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane set a deadline of three days for PODEMOS to comment on the issues contained in the Manhiça agreement of August 21, 2024.

Mondlane refers to points in the agreement that constitute his rights, as set out in the Manhiça Agreement of August 21, 2024, which we have consulted.

"We request that the answer to the above question be given to us within three days ... and in a public manner, as have been the pronouncements that are at odds with the spirit of the agreement," reads Venâncio Mondlane's letter.

The presidential candidate warns that "failure to respond within the time allowed will be interpreted as a lack of interest on the part of PODEMOS in complying with the questions asked".

Mondlane believes that PODEMOS should postpone the swearing-in of MPs until "dawn", as a way of demonstrating its moral commitment and political duty to the people, not least because many compatriots have died in the struggle to restore electoral truth.