His announcement came as his supporters staged violent protests across the country to demand an end to the 49-year rule of the Frelimo party.

The capital Maputo was like a ghost town on Christmas Eve, with almost all businesses shut and people staying at home to avoid being caught up in the worst unrest in the city since Frelimo rose to power with independence in 1975.

Frelimo’s offices, police stations, banks and factories have been looted, vandalised and set ablaze around the country.

Since Monday, at least 21 people have been killed in the unrest, the interior minister said late on Tuesday.

The latest unrest began on Monday after Mozambique’s highest court upheld the victory of Frelimo’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, in elections held in October.

Mondlane had challenged the result, alleging that the poll was rigged.

In a Facebook live broadcast to his supporters on Tuesday, Mondlane said he rejected the ruling of the constitutional court, adding that he would assume the office of president on 15 January – the day that Chapo is due to be sworn in.

President Filipe Nyusi is due to step down at the end of his two terms.

It is unclear how Mondlane intends to take office, as he is currently in self-imposed exile in an unknown country.

He has frequently rallied his supporters via speeches on Facebook live, but has urged them to remain peaceful.

“We are with the people. We do not advocate any form of violence,” Mondlane said in his latest address.

Chapo has not yet commented on his declaration.

October’s election was the first time both of them had run for the presidency, with the electoral commission declaring Chapo the winner with 71% of the vote to Mondlane’s 20%.

The constitutional court revised the result, giving the Frelimo candidate 65% and Mondlane 24%.

Rights groups say that more than 100 people have been killed in unrest since the elections.

They accuse the security forces of being responsible for many of the killings, but police commander Bernadino Rafael had previously told the BBC that his officers had been defending themselves after coming under attack.

Mondlane fled Mozambique after accusing police of threatening behaviour, and two of his aides were shot dead in October.

The 50-year-old evangelical pastor contested the election as an independent after breaking away from the main opposition Renamo party.

His support is strongest among young people, many of whom are unemployed and demanding change.

Frelimo fielded the 47-year-old Chapo as its youngest-ever presidential candidate.

He has previously rejected suggestions that he and Frelimo rigged the poll, saying: “We are an organised party that prepares its victories.”

Source: BBC

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Ethiopia will be the second largest spending market for furniture and furnishings spending, benefitting from its sizeable population, with spending forecasted to grow to about $2.5 billion

According to Fitch Solutions, Ghana will record furniture spending of $781.0 million by 2027.

Kenya will however spend $635.3 million with the remaining Sub Sahara Africa markets all spending less than $350.0 million on furniture and furnishing in 2027, highlighting the small base of spending outside of the leading markets in the region.

Sub-Saharan Africa demand for furniture has largely outpaced the level of supply in the market.

The London based firm said the implications of furniture supply shortages in SSA have a profound impact on consumers, further exacerbated by the region’s low urbanisation rates (46.6% on average in 2024) and exchange rate risks.

“When demand outstrips supply, the cost of furniture escalates, contributing to higher unaffordability for households. This situation reinforces the perception in SSA that furniture is seen as a luxury commodity, only accessible to a select demographic”.

Low urbanisation rates across the majority of SSA indicate that a significant proportion of the population lives a considerable distance from commercial hubs. This geographical dispersion, Fitch Solution, said poses challenges to the distribution and accessibility of furniture, thereby restricting availability and further inflating prices.

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The converted fishing boat, carrying about 130 people, ran into trouble as it tried to reach an island off Nampula province, officials said.

“Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers, it ended up sinking … There are 91 people who lost their lives,” said Nampula’s Secretary of State Jaime Neto.

Many children were among the victims, he added.

Rescuers had found five survivors and were searching for more, but sea conditions were making the operation difficult.

Most passengers were trying to escape the mainland because of a panic caused by disinformation about cholera, Neto said.

The southern African country, one of the world’s poorest, has recorded almost 15,000 cases of the waterborne disease and 32 deaths since October, according to government data.

Nampula is the worst affected region, accounting for a third of all cases.

An investigative team was working to find out the cause of the boat disaster, the official said.

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The lightning strikes happened in the northern town of Mogincual, in Nampula province.

Meanwhile, the southern and central provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala and Zambézia have been placed on alert for severe thunderstorms expected later on Monday.

Storm Filipo has now reached the Mozambican coast and could evolve into a severe tropical storm, before dispersing back out to sea.

Increased rainfall has already been recorded and there are fears of mudslides. Boats and vessels are being warned by Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (Inam) to take precautions.

Natural disasters are common in Mozambique, particularly during the rainy and cyclone season which runs between October and April.

The carpet was taken together with a tent on Wednesday night as the items were being moved to the town, where President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to hold a public event on Friday.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident, police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said in a statement.

The two are suspected to have stolen the items from a Ministry of Transport and public works vehicle along the Zalewa-Mwanza road.

President Chakwera is expected in Mwanza for the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a stadium, as well as to inspect newly built police houses.

The incident comes a few days after unknown people broke into the office of Vice-President Saulos Chilima in the capital, Lilongwe, and stole some items.

The Os Mambas will face the Black Stars in their final Group B game of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.

Despite the difficult start to the tournament, both teams have a chance to progress to the next round.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Conde said his side can exploit Ghana’s vulnerabilities.

“We will play at 200% to win this match,” Conde said at the pre-match press conference.

“We know Ghana hasn’t won a match and understandably are somewhat frustrated and don’t have peace of mind, even though they have some quality. They play with the motivation of the fans also. We will try to provoke them and approach the match as a final” he added.

Despite Conde’s bold statements, Ghana coach Chris Hughton remains confident in his team’s abilities.

“We are aware of the magnitude of this game. This is a game we have to win. All we can do is to prepare and make sure we put in a level of performance that allows us to win the game” he told reporters.

The match between Ghana and Mozambique kicks off at 20:00GMT at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

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Currently, Ghana finds themselves in a precarious position, sitting in third place in the group with just one point, sharing the same standing as their upcoming opponents, who are at the bottom of the group.

Mozambique, making a return to AFCON after a 12-year absence, is facing similar qualification requirements as Ghana. However, their historical performance in the group stage has been challenging, having never won a match in this phase of the competition. Over five tournaments, they’ve lost 12 matches and drawn two.

Furthermore, Mozambique has struggled defensively in AFCON, never managing to keep a clean sheet and conceding a total of 31 goals in 14 matches. If they fail to keep a clean sheet in their upcoming match, they will join Zimbabwe as the teams that have gone the longest period without achieving this feat in the competition.

Ghana, on the other hand, is determined to avoid a second consecutive group-stage exit. In their opening match, they suffered a 3-0 defeat to group leaders Cape Verde, putting them under early pressure. Despite showing improvement in the second match against Egypt, where they secured a draw, Ghana is on a six-game winless streak, their longest in AFCON history.

A victory against Mozambique is crucial for Ghana, but it won’t guarantee automatic qualification if Egypt defeats Cape Verde in the other match. However, securing four points should likely place them as one of the best third-placed teams.

In terms of player dynamics, Mozambique’s Lau King and Domingues, introduced during their last match, will be competing for starting positions. Coach Chiquinho Conde has also experimented with the formation, using Atletico Madrid’s Reinildo in a back three.

Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, who missed the opening match due to injury, made a significant impact in the second match against Egypt with two goals. The Black Stars, with no current injury concerns, might consider veteran Andre Ayew to strengthen their attack after he remained an unused substitute in the last match.

Possible lineups

Mozambique’s possible starting lineup:

Ernani, Mandava, Dove, Mexer, Macandza, Guima, Amade, Witi, Bauque, Gildo, Ratifio

Ghana’s possible starting lineup:

Ofori, Odoi, Djiku, Salisu, Mensah, Ashimeru, Paintsil, Konigsdorffer, Ayew, Kudus, Williams

Where will the game be played?

The game will be staged at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium

What is the kick-off time?

The game has been scheduled to kick off at 20:00GMT

Prediction

Ghana 2-0 Mozambique

The Black Stars are set to face Mozambique on Monday evening, seeking to clinch their first three points in the tournament after experiencing challenges in their initial two matches.

Ghana suffered a defeat in their opening game against Cape Verde and later faced setbacks, twice surrendering their lead to settle for a draw against Egypt in their second fixture.

As they enter the last round of group-stage fixtures, Ghana currently has just one point.

A victory in the upcoming match holds the potential to significantly improve their standing and enhance their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition.

In a press briefing ahead of Monday’s game, Hughton said, “The players are well-versed in what it will take to achieve a positive result. There are no easy matches in this tournament. We need to be physically and mentally prepared for this.”

A triumph for Ghana would elevate them to four points and position them in second place, depending on the outcomes of the clash between Egypt and Cape Verde.

The game which is scheduled to be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium will kick off at 20:00GMT.

Set to compete against the bottom-placed team in their final Group B match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Monday, January 22, Ghana is determined to secure a spot in the last 16 of the ongoing competition.

With only one point obtained from the Black Stars previous two games, mistakes have proven costly.

However, Odoi speaking ahead of the game emphasized the importance of maintaining focus in the crucial match against Os Mambas.

“If we lose, we do not lose as individuals, we win together and we lose together. I don’t think it is due to the pressure. At this level, you make certain mistakes. In the upcoming game, we have to try and avoid the small mistakes and be very ready and focused throughout the game,” he added.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT.

Ghana, who is aiming win its fifth continental title encountered a disappointing start to their campaign. They suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in their opener and were then held to a 2-2 draw by Egypt.

With their final Group B match against Mozambique on the horizon, Kudus stressed the crucial nature of a win to secure qualification for the subsequent round of the tournament.

Reflecting on the previous game against the North African side, Kudus emphasized the team’s fighting spirit and energy, asserting that they need to elevate their performance in the upcoming match to secure the vital three points.

“It is very possible until we finish the last game in the group; it’s the same focus. You could see the fighting spirit and the energy from the guys today,” the West Ham United attacker said.

“We have to do more than that in the last game because we have to get the three points at all costs, and we will see what happens after,” he added.

The decisive clash is set to kick off at 20:00 GMT on Monday, January 22, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

The Rayo Vallecano forward, once of Manchester United, smashed in a strike which keeper Ernan Siluane should have done better with.

Captain Ryan Mendes took advantage of a defensive mistake to double their lead.

Kevin Pina then hammered a brilliant strike into the top corner from outside the box to seal the win in Abidjan.

Mozambique’s best moments came through Geny Catamo. He won a penalty in the first half, which was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR), and hit the crossbar with a free-kick.

The Black Stars have had a challenging start in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), securing just one point from two games, with a defeat against Cape Verde and a draw with Egypt at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Thursday night.

In order to advance to the Round of 16, Hughton and his squad must secure a victory against Os Mambas on Monday, January 22.

Reflecting on the disappointing draw against the Pharaohs, the 64-year-old acknowledged the upcoming match against Mozambique would be tough but expressed optimism about their qualification chances.

“There are no longer any small teams in Africa. We are gearing up for a challenging match against them,” the former Premier League coach said.

He added, “The calculations have been made, and we need a victory to pursue our dream. I believe we have the capability to achieve it.”

The clash between Ghana and Mozambique is set to take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 20:00 GMT.

The Black Stars, aiming to secure their fifth continental title, are on a mission to end a 42-year trophy drought in the prestigious tournament.

The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by the referee for a foul on Mostafa Mohamed in the area at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, and Salah’s strike denied Mozambique a historic first-ever AFCON win.

Mohamed had given record seven-time African champions Egypt the ideal start when he scored inside two minutes of the Group B encounter, but the sapping heat and humidity of a late afternoon kick-off then seemed to get the better of the Pharaohs.

Mozambique, who had not won a match in 12 previous attempts in four past appearances at the Cup of Nations, equalised through Witiness Quembo in the 55th minute.

The game was completely turned on its head as Mozambique scored again three minutes later when Clesio Bauque, on as a half-time substitute, burst through to make it 2-1.

However, the Mambas could not hold on for a famous win as Salah kept his cool at the death.

Group rivals Ghana and Cape Verde meet later in the same stadium.

The Mozambique head coach ordered his players to leave the pitch after Annor Walker’s men were awarded a penalty following the opposition’s player handling the ball in his box.

However, the penalty decision didn’t go well with the Mozambique team as they left the pitch despite attempts from officials to get them to continue the game.

Prior to the penalty incident, Mozambique had taken a 1-0 lead in the first half and looked certain to wrap up the game with 20 minutes until full time.

With failed attempts to get them back on the field, the referee then brought the game to an abrupt end.

The game was the Black Galaxies’ last friendly game ahead of the commencement of the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is scheduled for Friday, January 13.

Ghana’s first game is against Madagascar on Sunday, January 15.

Ibrahim Tanko and his side went into the game with a 2-1 advantage in the first leg staged in Maputo.

The advantage was extended just minutes to the end of the first half when Sylvester Simba broke the deadlock for the home side at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

At the start of the second half, Daniel Afriyie who was the scorer of the team’s two goals in Maputo extended the lead, scoring from a spot kick.

Ghana created chances to extend their lead but they failed to take the chances as the game ended 2-0.

The 2-0 win means the Black Meteors won the encounter 4-1 on aggregate and advanced to the next round.

The Black Meteors will come up against the winner of the game between Algeria and DR Congo.

The team will head to Kumasi to begin preparations ahead of the second tie slated for Sunday at the Baba Yara stadium.

The team goes into the return leg with an advantage over their opponents after clinching victory last weekend.

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The winner of the doubleheader will play the winner of the match between Algeria and DR Congo.

Below are some photos of team’s arrival in Ghana:

Ibrahim Tanko and his charges started the game on an explosive note having taken the game at the host in search of an early surprising opener.

The Mambas made their first dangerous incursion in the 25th minute in search of a goal but a great intervention from Bechem United’s Aaron Essel rescued the situation for the travelers. 

However, Hearts of Oak forward, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh came so close to finding the back of the net but his effort missed the post by inches. It ended barren after the first half

After recess, the Black Meteors took it from where they ended and mounted so much pressure on the side.

Afriyie Barnieh in the 65th minute scored for Meteors from a spot kick.

Ten minutes after the first, another penalty was given and was once again converted beautifully by Afriyie Barnieh to seal his brace.

Mozambique ended the game very dangerous after pushing more men forward in the search for a consolation which they eventually got in the 88th minute after scoring from a rebound to end the game 1-2.

Ghana will host the return leg next Sunday, October  30, 2022, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

A delegation made up of 22 players, technical staff and officials left Accra on Thursday evening for the game which is scheduled for Sunday, October 23 at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto.

The team is expected to arrive in Maputo on Friday morning after a brief transit in Johannesburg.

Coach Ibrahim Tanko’s side is poised to secure a positive result away in Maputo ahead of the return leg which will be played at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi on October 30.

GFA President Kurt ES Okraku was at the airport to see off the team as they embark on a journey to ensure qualification to the 2023 African U23 Championship in Morocco.

Meanwhile, the squad has been boosted with the arrival of former U20 AFCON winning fullback Philemon Baffour who currently plays for Rio Ave in the Portuguese league.

Below are the best phots of the players as they depart for Mozambique game:

The young men pretended to be jihadists so as to steal from locals, the authorities said.

One of the men was identified and seized by the local population and is currently under police detention, said Vicente Chicote, the provincial police commander.

He said it was not the first time young people in the area had posed as jihadists with an intention to steal within the communities.

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Starlink is able to provide the service through its satellite network.

When Mr Musk spoke about the service last year, it was reported that Starlink customers had to connect using small satellite receivers priced at $500 (£360).

Then there is data to factor in, which in the US costs $110 a month.

If those prices are replicated in Nigeria and Mozambique, it will be out of reach for most people.

The suspect told officers he posed as a customer to lure the taxi driver to a forest, where together with an accomplice, they assaulted the victim using blunt objects.

The unnamed suspect says he is remorseful and intends to help police to track down his partner who is on the run.

It’s not known why the taxi driver was targeted, but bald men have in the past been targeted by people seeking to use their body parts for ritual purposes.

President Nyusi was received on arrival by the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the Kotoka International Airport on behalf of President Akufo-Addo.

The visit is aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic ties between Ghana and Mozambique.

The two leaders are looking forward to holding a mutual conversation at the Jubilee House in Accra on Monday, May 23, 2022.

The two countries seek to strengthen mutual ties in the cultural, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors.

A State Banquet is expected to be hosted by H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for President Nyusi and a visit to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra afterward.

The Banquet will see to the signing of an agreement by the heads of state of the two countries.

Meanwhile, President Nyusi will give an address at the Ghanaian Parliament and the Headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area in Accra.

It is suspected that the dead, thought to be Ethiopians, suffocated, the authorities told the BBC.

Two people, including the vehicle’s driver, have been detained in connection with the deaths.

The migrants were on a well-known trafficking route to South Africa.

When officials inspected the vehicle, 14 people were found alive.

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The immigration service had stopped the container truck in the town of Moatize, according to Tete provincial director of health, Carla Mosse.

She said investigations were ongoing to discover how the occupants died, but said asphyxiation was the likely cause of death.

Amélia Direito, spokesperson for the National Migration Service in Tete, said the driver had not wanted to stop the vehicle when asked.

She explained that her colleagues had heard noises from the lorry and suspected that migrants might be inside.

Referring to the trafficking of migrants she said: “This is a worrying situation. We are continuing to tighten the control of the border.”

Some of the 14 survivors were hitting the container and screaming, reports the Portuguese newspaper Observador.

Danilson Goncalves, head of public health in Tete, said a team of medical examiners would carry-out autopsies to determine the exact cause of death.

Police say the body parts and heads of bald men are being traded across the borders to Malawi and Tanzania where they are of value in witchcraft.

The police warning came after the brutal killing of two bald men, one of whom had his head cut off, and both had their internal organs cut out and stolen.

In a notice stuck on walls at Unizambeze university, administrators prohibit women from wearing:

Tight-fitting dresses

Miniskirts

Sleeveless tops

Cleavage-showing tops

See-through cloths

Slippers

Body tights

Ripped jeans and

Blouses showing bras.

It also bans men from wearing:

Vests

Shorts

Ripped jeans

Low-waist trousers and

Slippers and

Plaiting their hair.

Reaction to the ban has been mixed, but most people I spoke to said it was “appropriate for the African culture” and an “important rule to ensure decency in a learning institution.”

* The notice does not refer to dreadlocks, as we earlier reported.

source: mozamb

Estevao Alberto Gino, 19, who played for amateur club Atletico Mineiro de Tete, lost his life when he was attacked by the animal while running on the banks of the Zambezi river, the club confirmed.

“The crocodile came out of the water abruptly and took him by the waist. After that, the animal ran back into the water,” Edy Carvalho, coach of Atletico, told O Tempo.

“His two friends were very scared and they heard the screams, but there was nothing they could do. The crocodile was like five metres.”

The club, named after the Brazilian team, posted a tribute to their player on their Facebook page, offering condolences to Gino’s family.

“We are mourning our player, our brother, our friend, our son and our eternal central defender Estevao Alberto Gino, only 19 years of age with a promising future, who was the victim of a crocodile on the banks of the Zambezi river,” reads the tribute.

“The CAMT sends our sincerest condolences to your family. It is an irreparable loss for all of us.

“Estevao was an example of obedience, respect and humility and leaves a huge void in our life.”

source:goal.com