The SADC summit in Zimbabwe addressed Mozambique’s post-election violence and unrest. Civil society reports indicate police violence against protesters accused the FRELIMO government of election fraud. Efforts for dialogue were initiated by President Nyusi amidst ongoing opposition protests and demands for legal recourse regarding contested election results.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary summit in Zimbabwe to address the post-election violence in Mozambique, alongside discussing the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Following the October 9 elections, Mozambique has witnessed significant unrest, with reports indicating that police have allegedly killed over 30 protesters. The opposition accuses the ruling FRELIMO party, represented by President Filipe Nyusi, of election fraud.
Elias Magosi, SADC’s executive secretary, emphasized the commitment to collaborate with Mozambique to ensure peace and stability, expressing condolences for the lives lost during the unrest. He urged aggrieved citizens to seek legal remedies instead of resorting to violence. However, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his remarks, focused exclusively on the DRC conflict and did not address the situation in Mozambique.
Albino Forquilha, representing the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS), highlighted the party’s civil protests against the electoral commission’s results, which they contend differ from the actual vote counts at polling stations. Following the electoral disputes, President Nyusi extended an invitation for dialogue to the four presidential candidates in an effort to quell the ongoing protests and restore stability in Mozambique. Opposition parties continue to contest the legitimacy of FRELIMO’s candidate in the presidential elections.
Mozambique has been experiencing increased political turmoil following the elections held on October 9, 2023. Reports from civil society groups indicate that police have resorted to violence against protesters opposing the election results, leading to significant fatalities. The SADC organized the summit to address these tensions and reaffirm support for peace in the region amid accusations of electoral malpractice directed toward the ruling party, FRELIMO. President Nyusi’s call for dialogue with opposition candidates marks an attempt to mitigate the unrest resulting from contested election outcomes.
The SADC summit aimed to address the escalating post-election violence in Mozambique, emphasizing the need for peaceful solutions and legal recourse for grievances. Despite the leadership’s efforts to facilitate dialogue, tensions remain high, with opposition parties demanding transparency in the electoral process. The ongoing conflicts in the DRC further complicate the political landscape, underscoring the delicate nature of governance within the Southern African region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
