Mozambique police fired on protesters in Maputo, killing two in a demonstration called by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. This incident marks an escalation in ongoing tensions following controversial presidential elections. Witnesses reported police aggression, and civil society groups highlighted the use of live ammunition in prior and current protests, indicating a troubling pattern of violence against demonstrators.
On Tuesday, Mozambique police opened fire on a crowd protesting in the capital, Maputo, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, as reported by witnesses and AFP journalists. The protest was organized by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, marking his first significant mobilization in several weeks following prolonged violent demonstrations allegedly linked to the contentious October presidential elections.
Images captured by AFP depicted two victims lying beneath blankets amidst pools of blood in the Matola neighborhood. Eyewitness accounts indicated that police sought to disperse the protest gathering and resorted to lethal force, leading to one individual sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Local civil society organizations corroborated claims that law enforcement had discharged firearms. Mondlane, who ranked second in the recent presidential election, asserts that the electoral process was rigged to secure victory for President Daniel Chapo, igniting widespread civil unrest in which over 360 demonstrators have reportedly been killed by police, according to the Plataforma Decide group.
Earlier in the month, police forces employed live ammunition to quell an opposition march, resulting in at least 14 injuries. Plataforma Decide verified one of the fatalities on Tuesday through a social media update illustrating the deceased individual. A witness reported that police pursued the victims into a residential area and opened fire.
The Centre for Democracy and Development accused the Rapid Intervention Unit of firing live bullets at its personnel during coverage of the protests. Human rights officer Andre Mulungo stated that demonstrators, who were initially peaceful, faced police aggression, which escalated into violence.
Frustration among citizens is palpable, as demonstrated by one protestor, who expressed discontent with the current state of affairs, saying, “We have no jobs, nothing. They are killing us; what are we going to do? They want blood?” Since his inauguration in mid-January, President Chapo, of the ruling Frelimo party, has been the subject of increasing opposition, with Mondlane alleging that he won the election despite official results attributing only 24 percent of the votes to him versus Chapo’s 65 percent.
In conclusion, the recent protests in Mozambique, marked by police violence and casualties, highlight the ongoing tension between the government and opposition forces. The alarming death toll and the use of live ammunition have sparked outrage among citizens and civil society groups, raising critical questions about the state of democracy and human rights in the country following disputed elections. The situation remains precarious as citizens demand accountability and change from their leaders.
Original Source: www.france24.com
