Police Shooting at Venâncio Mondlane’s Caravan Highlights…

A member of Venâncio Mondlane’s caravan was injured when police fired shots during a protest in Maputo. The police utilized live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the crowd. This incident occurs amid ongoing political dialogues aimed at resolving the post-electoral crisis, which remains contentious, particularly with Mondlane’s exclusion from significant discussions.

In Maputo, Mozambique, a member of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane’s entourage suffered injuries following a police shooting aimed at dispersing a crowd during a march led by Mondlane. The incident transpired around 1 PM in the Hulene neighborhood along Julius Nyerere Avenue as Mondlane’s caravan progressed towards Praça dos Combatentes from Praça da Juventude in Magoanine.

Abdul Nariz, from Mondlane’s communications team, recounted, “We were surprised when a heavily armed police group started shooting directly at the vehicle where Venâncio Mondlane was.” The police deployed tear gas, explosives, and live ammunition, prompting the group to flee due to escalating violence.

Mozambican police have established a presence along key roads leading to the Joaquim Chissano Conference Center, where a significant political agreement is set to be signed today. This agreement involves key political parties aimed at enacting state reforms to resolve the post-electoral crisis.

The signing ceremony, scheduled for 3 PM, will include not just parliamentary parties, such as Podemos, Renamo, and MDM, but also the extra-parliamentary New Democracy. There is ongoing criticism regarding the exclusion of Venâncio Mondlane in these discussions, given his status as the second-most-voted candidate in the recent elections.

President Daniel Chapo recently stated his commitment to combating post-election unrest while ensuring the nation’s independence and sovereignty. With ongoing social unrest since October, Mondlane has led protests against what he claims are disputed election results, alongside growing public concerns about the cost of living and social issues.

The incident involving the shooting at Venâncio Mondlane’s caravan underscores the escalating tensions in Mozambique relating to political disputes and social unrest. Injuries inflicted during the protest reveal the volatile atmosphere as the nation grapples with the aftermath of contentious electoral results. Moreover, the ongoing dialogue among political parties, while notable, has faced criticism for excluding key players, particularly Mondlane, amid calls for broader representation in addressing emerging societal issues.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com