Rwanda Denies Troop Presence in Maputo Amid Mozambique Protests
The spokesperson for the Rwandan government clarified that there are no Rwandan troops in Maputo, asserting that they are strictly active in Cabo Delgado province against Islamist insurgents. This statement counters recent rumors amid ongoing protests in Mozambique following disputed election results. Despite the unrest, an initial calm has emerged in the capital, but tensions remain high as opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane plans further demonstrations and strikes.
On Sunday, Yolande Makolo, the spokesperson for the Government of Rwanda, unequivocally stated that the Rwandan armed forces have no presence in Maputo. This assertion aims to dispel the various reports and rumors suggesting that Rwandan troops were deployed in the capital during ongoing post-election demonstrations. Makolo emphasized, “There are no Rwandan troops in Maputo. Rwandan Security Forces are deployed strictly in Cabo Delgado province, in joint operations with Mozambican forces against extremist Islamist fighters that have been terrorizing residents in the province.” Furthermore, she classified these circulating claims as false and labeled them as “a lie.” The Rwandan military has been actively involved in Cabo Delgado, where over 2,000 Rwandan soldiers are fighting against extremist groups. Their presence is primarily to safeguard areas such as the natural gas project by TotalEnergies, following a strategic agreement between Rwanda and Mozambique. In Maputo, the previous days saw significant unrest, marked by protests by supporters of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane. However, reports indicate that today marked a short respite from riots, with streets relatively calm for the first time since a series of demonstrations began. All markets in the suburbs remained operational, indicating a degree of normalcy amidst the political tensions. Mondlane has called for a week-long general strike beginning October 31 and plans for further demonstrations in Maputo on November 7. He has expressed his refusal to accept the electoral results announced by the National Elections Commission (CNE), which favored the ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo, who garnered 70.67% of the votes. Mondlane criticized the outcome, as he received only 20.32% of the votes, stating that he will challenge these results which are yet to be certified by the Constitutional Council.
The ongoing political situation in Mozambique has become increasingly precarious following the general elections on October 9, 2023. The outcome of the elections has sparked widespread protests, particularly among supporters of opposition candidates. Venâncio Mondlane, the prominent opposition figure, has taken a resilient stance against the election results, leading to ongoing demonstrations that have resulted in violent clashes with law enforcement. The local atmosphere has been charged with unrest due to the alleged electoral malpractice, which the opposition strongly contests. Rwandan military involvement in Cabo Delgado, a region afflicted by extremist violence, further complicates the situation as misinformation regarding their presence in the capital has emerged amidst the protests. This misinformation highlights the tension and the fragile political landscape in Mozambique as it grapples with both domestic unrest and regional security challenges.
In conclusion, the presence of Rwandan troops in Mozambique has been a subject of recent rumors that were firmly rebutted by Yolande Makolo, the spokesperson for Rwanda’s government. While Rwandan forces are committed to stabilizing Cabo Delgado, the political climate in Maputo remains tumultuous due to protests against the election results. As the opposition rallies for a general strike and contests the authority of the ruling party, the situation necessitates careful observation to prevent further escalation of violence and unrest.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
