Protests erupted in Mozambique on Wednesday over disputed election results, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in two reported deaths and prompting the closure of the main border crossing with South Africa, according to local sources.
Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane had called for renewed protests following the announcement by the election authority that Frelimo, the ruling party since independence from Portugal in 1975, had won the October 9 elections. Mondlane alleges that the vote was marred by fraud, a claim that has sparked widespread protests and a crackdown by security forces, which, according to Human Rights Watch, has already resulted in at least 30 fatalities.
Police reportedly opened fire on protesters in Nampula’s Namicopo neighbourhood on Wednesday morning, killing two people, as reported by the local newspaper Ikweli. Residents corroborated these reports, with civil society activist Ivaldo Nazare recounting that police had surrounded the area and fired on the crowd attempting to march toward the city centre.
Further south, demonstrators supporting Mondlane blocked traffic at the Ressano Garcia border crossing, causing significant delays for trucks bound for South Africa, AFP reported.
In response, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) temporarily closed the Lebombo border post, located about 110 kilometres from Maputo, citing ongoing protests. The crossing, a crucial link for South African exports to Mozambique’s Maputo and Matola ports, was also closed intermittently last week due to post-election unrest.
In light of the escalating tensions, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has scheduled an emergency summit for the weekend to address the situation. Election monitors have reported irregularities, and Mozambique’s Constitutional Council has requested clarification on voter turnout figures before confirming the results. President Filipe Nyusi is expected to step down in January, marking the end of his term, with Frelimo’s candidate Daniel Chapo slated to succeed him.
