NGO Reports Escalating Violence Amid Opposition Protests Over Disputed Presidential Election
Mozambique is grappling with a wave of violent clashes that have claimed 125 lives in just three days, according to reports from the non-governmental organization Plataforma Decide. The unrest erupted following the announcement of disputed presidential election results earlier this week, intensifying a crisis that has already resulted in 252 deaths since October.
Disputed Election Results Spark Violence
The unrest began after Mozambique’s highest court confirmed on Monday that Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party won the October 9 presidential election with 65.17% of the vote. Despite international observers raising concerns about electoral irregularities, the court upheld the results, prompting opposition-led protests. These demonstrations escalated into widespread violence, with buildings burned, supermarkets ransacked, and clashes between protesters and police across the country.
Hard-Hit Areas and Rising Death Toll
The violence has been particularly severe in areas around the capital Maputo, the northern provinces, and Beira, the nation’s second-largest city. On Tuesday evening, authorities reported 21 deaths within the first 24 hours of rioting. By Thursday, the death toll had risen to 125, with Plataforma Decide revealing that more than 4,000 people have been arrested since October, including 137 in the past three days.
Adding to the chaos, a mass jailbreak near Maputo on Wednesday resulted in clashes between inmates and prison staff, leaving 33 inmates dead.
Opposition Claims and Government Response
Venancio Mondlane, the opposition leader currently in exile, has accused security forces of instigating the unrest to justify a state of emergency and suppress protests. While some barricades around Maputo have been dismantled, many remain, disrupting traffic and halting public transport.
Regional and International Implications
The escalating crisis in Mozambique has drawn regional attention, with neighbouring countries, including South Africa, expressing readiness to assist. The unrest not only poses a significant humanitarian crisis but also threatens regional stability in southern Africa.
Also read: Tourists Flee Mozambique Due To Fears of Another Wave of Protests
