Mozambique’s main opposition leader has returned from exile as security forces fired tear gas at hundreds of his supporters who gathered near the main international airport to welcome him home.

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.

Police in Mozambique fired tear gas at demonstrators welcoming the return of opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane after October's disputed vote.View on euronews

Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned home on Thursday, after fleeing in the days following a hotly contested October election that sparked demonstrations in which scores of protesters have been killed.

Injuries reported as police fire tear gas and live ammunition as Venancio Mondlane lands in Maputo after disputed vote.

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.

When Venâncio Mondlane started out as a political commentator, an almost 7-foot-tall television journalist was tasked with questioning him. More than two decades later, the two are locked in a standoff,

Mozambique’s main opposition leader has returned from self-imposed exile saying he still rejects the results of a disputed election last year that has sparked more than two months of protests and a violent crackdown by security forces.

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