Mozambique Faces International Outcry Over Election-Related Violence

Amnesty International reports a brutal crackdown by Mozambique’s security forces following the October 2022 election, resulting in over 300 deaths and 3,000 injuries. The violence was sparked by protests after alleged electoral fraud. Calls for an investigation into the rights violations continue, while reports indicate arbitrary arrests and social media restrictions during the unrest.

Mozambique’s security forces have been reported to have conducted a severe crackdown on protesters in the aftermath of the presidential and parliamentary election held on October 9, 2022. According to Amnesty International, more than 300 deaths and over 3,000 injuries were recorded during the three-month period of unrest, prompting calls for an investigation into these rights violations and accountability for law enforcement officials involved.

In the wake of the election, where Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party was declared the winner amidst allegations of electoral fraud, large-scale protests took place. These demonstrations, supporting independent candidate Venancio Mondlane backed by the Podemos party, escalated dramatically following the October 18 assassination of Mondlane’s lawyer and a Podemos official.

Mondlane condemned the killing as a political assassination, subsequently initiating 25 days of protests, symbolizing the 25 bullets fired. Fearing for his safety, he temporarily left the country, returning in January. During the protests from October 21 to January 25, Amnesty reported that police and military forces used lethal measures against largely peaceful gatherings, employing live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas.

The civil society group Plataforma DECIDE indicated a death toll of 315 between October 21 and January 16, a figure significantly higher than the 96 deaths acknowledged by authorities, which included 17 law enforcement officers. Amnesty highlighted that police unlawfully employed firearms, causing both death and injury among citizens.

Additionally, Amnesty’s findings, which involved interviewing 28 individuals including victims and eyewitnesses, reported that mass arrests were conducted, with over 4,000 detained arbitrarily. Claims also arose regarding the restriction of access to major social media platforms during critical protest periods.

In January, Chapo was inaugurated as president, and a meeting between him and Mondlane occurred in March to mediate the situation, with Chapo pledging to investigate the responsibilities surrounding the protest-related fatalities. The Frelimo party, in power since 1975, has faced ongoing allegations of electoral misconduct, including opposition vote invalidation and ballot tampering, as noted by EU election observers.

The political landscape in Mozambique has been heavily influenced by a historic civil conflict between Frelimo and Renamo, with recent protests posing significant challenges to Frelimo’s dominance. Although protests have subsided following the crackdown, violence continues to flare, notably with the shooting of Mondlane’s campaign organizer in Quelimane, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds but survived.

In conclusion, the brutal crackdown on post-election protests in Mozambique has resulted in significant casualties and highlighted serious human rights concerns. Amnesty International has called for accountability and an investigation into the events surrounding the protests, emphasizing the need for governmental transparency and protection of civil rights. The ongoing violence underscores the fragile political situation and the threats faced by opposition figures in the country.

Original Source: www.usnews.com