Violence in Mozambique has claimed at least 90 lives amid protests against disputed presidential elections that favored the ruling Frelimo party. As unrest continues, civil society reports numerous detentions and fatalities during recent protests, raising significant concerns about the country’s political stability.
At least 90 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in Mozambique as a result of violent confrontations between anti-government demonstrators and security forces. These clashes were ignited by disputes surrounding the presidential elections held on October 9, which resulted in the ruling Frelimo party, in control since 1975, being accused of fraudulent practices by opposition groups. Between October 21 and December 5, civil society organization Plataforma Decide documented the fatalities and noted that approximately 3,500 individuals have been detained.
A resurgence of protests commenced on Wednesday, leading to additional violence, with law enforcement confirming the deaths of at least five protesters along with three injuries. Orlando Modumane, the national police spokesperson, reported that the deceased included individuals who had been run over or beaten, emphasizing that none were officers. In the city of Nampula, police reportedly fired live ammunition to prevent demonstrators from breaching the governor’s residence, resulting in fatalities.
The Constitutional Council is expected to validate the election results ahead of the January inauguration of Daniel Chapo, the 47-year-old candidate representing Frelimo. The electoral commission indicated that Chapo attained nearly 71 percent of the public vote, whereas Venancio Mondlane, leader of the Podemos party, garnered around 20 percent. However, Mondlane claimed that an independent count suggested he actually received 53 percent and that Chapo’s share was only 36 percent. In a social media statement, Mondlane expressed doubt that the protests would diminish during the festive season, stating, “This time, all of us will not have Christmas, because the people will be on the streets.”
The situation in Mozambique has been fraught with tension since the controversial presidential elections in October 2023, where the ruling Frelimo party faced allegations of electoral fraud from opposition parties. This decade-long rule has galvanized significant public unrest, leading to violent protests and aggressive responses from security forces. The rising death toll and number of detentions underscore the severity of the situation, raising concerns among civil society organizations about the state of democracy in Mozambique, especially as they await the Constitutional Council’s confirmation of the election results and the upcoming presidential inauguration.
In summary, Mozambique is grappling with escalating violence and political unrest following disputed elections that have claimed at least 90 lives since October. With the ruling party accused of electoral fraud, opposition leaders continue to call for protests. The situation remains volatile as the Constitutional Council prepares to affirm the election results and the nation approaches a crucial political transition, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue to prevent further bloodshed.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
