Mozambique Police Fire on Protesters, Resulting in Fatalities Amid Unrest
Mozambique police opened fire on protesters in Maputo, resulting in two deaths during a demonstration organized by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. The protests stem from allegations of electoral fraud in the October presidential elections. Witnesses and rights groups condemn the police’s use of lethal force as tensions escalate in the country.
On Tuesday, police in Maputo, Mozambique, opened fire on a crowd during a protest organized by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, resulting in two fatalities. This incident marks the first significant protest called by Mondlane in weeks, stemming from ongoing unrest following the presidential elections in October, which he alleges were manipulated in favor of current President Daniel Chapo.
Photographs from the scene depicted two deceased individuals covered by blankets, lying in pools of blood within the Matola region. An eyewitness reported that police attempted to disperse the protest by resorting to gunfire, where one individual was shot in the head. Civil society groups corroborated these claims, indicating police actions resulted in these deaths.
Mondlane, who secured second place in the recent elections, has vocally criticized the process, which was flagged by international observers for numerous irregularities. He asserts that he was denied victory, contributing to previous demonstrations that resulted in over 360 deaths at the hands of police, as evidenced by reports from Plataforma Decide.
Earlier this month, another protest saw at least 14 individuals injured due to police using live ammunition to control the crowds. A social media post from Plataforma Decide confirmed one of the deceased from the recent protests, sharing an account that suggested the police pursued and shot the victims in their neighborhood.
The Centre for Democracy and Development, through social media, alleged that the police’s Rapid Intervention Unit fired live rounds while journalists covered the protests. Human rights officer Andre Mulungo expressed concerns, stating, “people were peacefully demonstrating when the police arrived, chased them and fired live bullets.” Protesters expressed their frustrations, with one anonymous attendee stating their dire conditions, “We have no jobs, nothing. They’re killing us; what are we going to do? They want blood?”
President Daniel Chapo, who assumed office in January, leads the Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since its independence in 1975. In the contested elections, Chapo purportedly received 65 percent of the votes compared to Mondlane’s 24 percent. However, Mondlane contends he actually garnered 53 percent, indicating he posed a significant challenge to Frelimo.
The violent police response to the protest in Maputo highlights growing tensions between opposition forces and the ruling government in Mozambique. The incident reflects underlying issues regarding alleged electoral misconduct, civil unrest, and government accountability. With significant casualties reported and increasing frustration among citizens, the situation remains volatile, warranting close observation from both national and international communities.
Original Source: www.victoriaadvocate.com
