Murder of Mondlane Supporter Raises Alarm Over Political Violence in Mozambique
The “Decide” Electoral Platform has condemned the murder of Leão de Deus, a supporter of Venâncio Mondlane, bringing the total number of killed Mondlane supporters to 13 in Inhambane province. Recent violence against opposition members, including previous murders of activists, highlights a concerning political climate in Mozambique. Law enforcement’s inaction further complicates the situation, signaling urgent need for accountability.
The Mozambican NGO, the “Decide” Electoral Platform, has reported the tragic murder of Leão de Deus, a supporter of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, in Zavala district, Inhambane province. Leão de Deus was kidnapped on Saturday and subsequently shot in the Chissibuca region. “The victim was kidnapped and shot dead in the district of Zavala. He was known for his strong convictions in support of the political movement of the former presidential candidate,” stated the Decide Electoral Platform.
The Mozambican police have yet to provide any commentary regarding these murders. The “Decide” Electoral Platform noted that this latest incident raises the total number of Mondlane supporters killed by armed groups to 13. Last week, two additional supporters of Mondlane were also murdered in Massinga district.
In previous incidents, on October 19th, Elvino Dias, a lawyer for Mondlane, along with election agent Paulo Guambe of the Podemos political party, were shot dead in central Maputo, an area densely populated by civilians. Despite the high-profile nature of these killings, no suspects have been apprehended as of now.
Several other supporters of Mondlane have fallen victim to violence, including João de Deus Nhachengo and Ivo Armando Nhantumbo, the latter of whom was murdered in gruesome circumstances. The total count of opposition members killed in the time following the elections now stands at 14, highlighting the critical atmosphere of political unrest in the region.
The ongoing violence against supporters of Venâncio Mondlane underscores a troubling trend of political persecution in Mozambique. The murder of Leão de Deus, along with rising death tolls of opposition supporters, raises serious concerns about the safety and security of political activists in the country. The silence of law enforcement regarding these incidents further exacerbates the issue, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and protection for political dissenters in Mozambique.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
