Human Rights Watch has reported that at least ten children were killed and dozens more injured by Mozambican security forces during protests following the election of the ruling Frelimo party. The unrest, which began post-election, has seen a significant police crackdown, leading to the unlawful detention of many children and conflicting reports regarding the number of fatalities. The President of Mozambique has invited opposition leader Venancio Mondlane for discussions amidst ongoing violence and strife in the country.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Monday that Mozambican security forces have killed at least ten children and injured numerous others during the unrest following the recent elections. The violence erupted after the ruling Frelimo party, which has maintained its power since the nation’s independence, won the vote held on October 9. Protests against the election results have swept across Mozambique, resulting in a harsh response from the police. HRW detailed that a 13-year-old girl was fatally shot amidst a crowd fleeing tear gas and gunfire; the organization recorded at least nine other fatalities and injuries to thirty-six more children from gunfire during these protests.
The Mozambican authorities have not addressed the claims made by HRW. Additionally, reports indicate that police have unlawfully detained hundreds of children without informing their families, contravening international human rights laws. In a speech to the nation, President Filipe Nyusi condemned what he described as an effort to destabilize the country, reporting nineteen fatalities, including five police officers, alongside over 800 injuries during recent confrontations. Civil society organizations assess that the death toll exceeds sixty-seven, with around 2,000 individuals arrested since the outbreak of violence.
President Nyusi has invited Venancio Mondlane, the main opposition leader, for discussions, though Mondlane, who alleges he won the elections, has demanded the talks occur virtually and that all legal actions against him be retracted. It is believed that Mondlane has absconded from the country out of concern for his safety, and his current location remains undocumented.
The recent violence in Mozambique stems from the October 9 elections, where the ruling Frelimo party secured a victory amid significant accusations of electoral irregularities from the opposition. The aftermath of the elections has led to widespread protests, which have been met with excessive force from law enforcement. The involvement of children in the unrest—both as victims and detainees—brings to light serious human rights concerns, which organizations like Human Rights Watch are keen to highlight. In this tense political climate, the calls for dialogue between the government and opposition are critical, yet marred by issues of safety and legal constraints for opposition figures.
The violence following the recent elections in Mozambique has tragically claimed the lives of children and raised significant humanitarian issues. The government’s heavy-handed response to protests, especially concerning the treatment of children, contradicts established human rights obligations and exacerbates the tension between the ruling party and the opposition. As President Nyusi initiates dialogue with opposition leaders, the path toward stability and accountability for the violence remains precarious, demanding urgent attention from both national and international communities.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
