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 ahead of the swearing in of his rival.

Some speculate that Frelimo is 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,

Mozambique's opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who has been calling for protests for weeks from exile, has said he will return to the country on Thursday. Mondlane said he would arrive ahead of the swearing-in of a new president next week.