Mozambique faces a grave crisis as police violence surges amidst post-election protests, with Amnesty International urging both the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to take decisive action. Reports indicate the police have killed seven protesters, and the military has been deployed to stifle dissent. Urgent measures are necessary to ensure accountability and protect human rights in Mozambique.
Amnesty International has expressed grave concerns regarding escalating police violence in Mozambique, where seven individuals were reportedly killed during protests in Nampula on November 13, 2024. Khanyo Farisè, the Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, criticized the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for its inaction amid the crisis. He emphasized that SADC must unequivocally denounce the suppression of protests and the resulting fatalities among demonstrators, as human rights violations continue to rise unchecked.
Farisè called for urgent advocacy from SADC to place human rights at the forefront of its upcoming summit in Zimbabwe, underscoring the need for accountability from Mozambican authorities. The recent political unrest follows disputed elections held on October 9, 2024, leading to massive crackdowns on dissenters, marked by military intervention against protesters. Reports indicate that dozens have lost their lives, with numerous others injured and detained arbitrarily.
Furthermore, Farisè urged the African Union to pursue measures that would hold the Mozambique government responsible for its actions. This includes calls for investigations by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights into the ongoing human rights violations. The urgency of the situation is exacerbated by protesters retaliating against police, which exacerbates an already tense environment.
The situation in Mozambique has severely deteriorated following disputed elections on October 9, 2024. In response to large-scale protests, authorities have intensified a crackdown on demonstrators, leading to widespread violence, including police shootings of civilians and military deployment to suppress dissent. Civil society organizations report significant casualties and numerous arrests, with protesters increasingly retaliating against perceived police aggression. The SADC has announced a summit scheduled for November 16-20 to address these issues, urging immediate action to safeguard human rights within the nation.
The crisis in Mozambique underscores the need for immediate and decisive action from regional and international bodies to protect human rights. With escalating violence and human rights abuses, both SADC and the African Union must prioritize accountability and advocate for the rights of peaceful protesters. The upcoming summit presents a critical opportunity to address these violations and affirm the importance of safeguarding democratic rights in the region.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
