Mozambique has seen some level of unrest since the election that saw Daniel Chapo win the presidential election by 71% of the vote and Venâncio Mondlane by 20%, which he has rejected.
Supporters of opposition figure, Mondlane, have protested in several parts of the country since the vote, with police using teargas and live rounds to disperse demonstrators.
At least 18 people have died following weeks of the freedom march, which was called by the opposition, and it grew tense on Wednesday, seeing more of a police crackdown on protesters. Meanwhile, a Local NGO, the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD), said the death toll was 24.
Ahead of Thursday’s march, Amnesty International urged a halt to the violence, calling the crisis “the country’s worst crackdown on protests in years”.
Human Rights Watch urged the Mozambican authorities to immediately end internet restrictions imposed since October 25, 2024, and restore full access to social media platforms.
HRW described the restriction placed by the Mozambican authority as a violation of multiple rights adding that the move hindered access to information, freedom of speech, peaceful protest, and people’s ability to earn a living through online business.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, added to calls on Wednesday for the right to peaceful assembly and expression.
Turk also asked that the police must refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force and ensure that they manage protests in line with Mozambique’s international human rights obligations.
The Mozambique Bar Association (OAM) president Carlos Martins said the association has been able to free 2,700 people arrested, most of them detained illegally for taking part in demonstrations.
Martins added that there were “serious deficiencies” in the election process and no guarantee that a recount would be accurate.
The Constitutional Council is expected to confirm the results issued by the National Election Committee (NEC) at least 15 days before the new government takes office, which is due on January 15.
Filipe Nyusi is expected to step down at the end of his two-term limit and hand over to Daniel Chapo.
The Constitutional Council also queried the NEC’s figures on Tuesday, asking it to explain a discrepancy in the number of votes at three ballots held at the same time. The ballots were for the presidential, legislative and provincial assemblies.
Due to the ongoing violent protest, the government of South Africa shut one of its busiest borders with Mozambique on Tuesday while urging Mozambique security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the killings to justice.
The governments of Britain, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and the United States also called in a joint statement for “all entities to show restraint while respecting the rule of law and human life”.