Maputo, the capital of Mozambique was engulfed in violence Thursday as security forces, backed by troops, used tear gas and police dogs to break up protests against the country’s disputed election results. Thousands were taken to the streets following a call from opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who insisted that the official outcome was fraudulent and that he had won the October 9 election.
“This is a crucial moment for Mozambique,” Mondlane, currently outside Africa for security reasons, told AFP. The 50-year-old opposition leader said the protest signifies a revolutionary atmosphere and a call for a “unique historical and political transition” in the country.
Protesters clashed with heavily armed riot police and soldiers who dispersed the crowds. Some demonstrators threw rocks and set up barricades with burning tyres, while others displayed slogans demanding change. By evening, the streets were cleared, with police patrolling areas littered with the remains of barricades.
Human Rights Watch reports at least 18 deaths since the unrest began, with some estimates reaching 24, sparking international concern. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned Mozambican authorities against using excessive force, calling for adherence to human rights standards in handling the protests.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) plans to hold an extraordinary summit from November 16 to 20 to address the situation in Mozambique, while Mondlane remains in exile, using social media to rally his supporters.
