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.

By Manuel Mucari and Custodio Cossa MAPUTO (Reuters) -Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned from self-exile on Thursday, defiantly claiming to have won a hotly contested October election,

Supporters of Mozambique's opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane have been injured as police tried to break up the crowds who had come to meet him after his return from self-imposed exile on Thursday. He had left the country saying he thought his life was in danger following October's disputed presidential election that sparked deadly protests.

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, although  one person was killed as police tried to disperse the crowds.

Protests have continued, sporadically, for more than two months, and Mondlane's return could add fuel to the fire.

Venâncio Mondlane left Mozambique two months ago saying he feared for his life

Venâncio Mondlane holds ‘inauguration’ at airport amid fears that deadly stand-off with ruling party could destabilise region

Mozambique: Thousands of people turned out in the capital, Maputo, to meet main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane after he returned home from more than two months in exile Thursday to push his claim that he won the October presidential election.