Mozambican Police Clarify Gunfire Incident Involving Venâncio Mondlane’s Motorcade
On Thursday, Mozambican police clarified that shots fired near Venâncio Mondlane’s motorcade were meant to disperse crowds, not to attack him. Despite claims from Mondlane’s team regarding direct aggression, authorities reported injuries mainly due to panic. With heightened unrest since the controversial October elections, citizens protest against rising costs and the election results, leading to significant casualties and property damage.
The Mozambican police reported on Thursday that gunfire near Venâncio Mondlane’s motorcade was aimed solely at dispersing an unruly crowd rather than targeting the politician personally. According to spokesperson Leonel Muchina, shots were fired to prevent the crowd from progressing toward the Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre, where a significant political agreement signing was occurring. The police employed conventional crowd control methods, including tear gas, to manage the situation.
The incident unfolded around 1:00 p.m. in the Hulene neighborhood on Julius Nyerere Avenue, as Mondlane’s convoy traveled from Praça da Juventude to Praça dos Combatentes. A member of Mondlane’s communications team, Abdul Nariz, expressed surprise at the police response, which involved live ammunition. Injuries were reported among Mondlane’s entourage and bystanders, although authorities stated that most injuries arose from panic rather than gunfire.
Muchina emphasized that the crowd had obstructed traffic on a key route, prompting the police response. Meanwhile, Plataforma Decide, an NGO that monitors electoral processes, reported that at least 16 individuals, including two children, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. In retaliation, protestors blocked Julius Nyerere Avenue, a crucial thoroughfare during a significant political event aimed at resolving the post-election crisis.
The Mozambican police heightened their presence on critical roads leading to the conference center, which is associated with ongoing dialogue between the government and various political parties. Following the contentious electoral results last October, Mozambique has experienced heightened civil unrest. Protests, albeit reduced in size, continue as citizens express dissatisfaction with rising living costs and social issues, alongside contesting the election results. Reports indicate that since October, around 353 individuals, including minors, have lost their lives in the unrest, with government acknowledgments placing the death toll at a minimum of 80.
In conclusion, the Mozambican police have characterized gunfire during Venâncio Mondlane’s motorcade as a crowd dispersal effort and not an ambush on the politician. The incident further exacerbates existing tensions due to the disputed election results and ongoing civil unrest in the country. Calls for accountability and protests highlight the broader social issues that continue to affect Mozambique, demonstrating the fragile state of its political climate.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
