Mozambican police opened fire on opposition supporters in Maputo, injuring members of Venancio Mondlane’s entourage during a protest march. This incident occurred before President Daniel Chapo’s signing of an agreement aimed at resolving ongoing protests related to his disputed election victory. Mondlane, excluded from negotiations, vows to continue protests against the government, amidst claims of electoral fraud and police violence against civilians.
On Wednesday, Mozambican police fired upon supporters of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane during a protest march in Maputo, resulting in injuries among his entourage, as reported by Portuguese news agency Lusa. The demonstration occurred hours prior to President Daniel Chapo signing an agreement with select political parties intended to quell months of protests related to Chapo’s contentious election victory from the prior year.
Mondlane, who finished second in the presidential elections, was notably excluded from discussions concerning the signed agreement, which aims to revise the nation’s electoral laws. Analysts indicate his exclusion may hinder any prospects for stabilizing the resource-rich Southern African nation. A police spokesperson confirmed that forces had disbanded the protests but refrained from offering further details.
A live video streamed on Mondlane’s Facebook page depicted him addressing a supportive crowd from a moving vehicle when gunfire erupted, leading to chaos as attendees fled the scene. Zenaida Machado, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, reported that at least ten individuals suffered injuries due to police actions. She emphasized that police aggression during a peaceful demonstration undermines ongoing efforts for stability in Mozambique.
Local monitoring organization Plataforma Decide reveals that over 350 fatalities have occurred during protests since late October. Mondlane expressed intent to persist with protests against the government, asserting that the agreement signed by Chapo and other party leaders was formulated “without the people”. He has accused Chapo and the ruling Frelimo party of electoral manipulation, although Western observers have deemed the elections neither free nor fair. The Frelimo party, which has held power since Mozambique’s independence in 1975, denies these allegations of electoral fraud.
The recent protest in Maputo, marked by police violence against opposition supporters, reflects significant tensions in Mozambique’s political landscape. With the exclusion of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane from critical negotiations concerning electoral law reforms, analysts predict ongoing instability in the nation. As public dissent continues, the government faces increased scrutiny regarding its legitimacy and handling of civil rights.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
