Mozambique: Maputo getting back to normal after Monday protests

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Mozambique: Maputo getting back to normal after Monday protests

3:01 CAT | 22 Oct 2024

Photo: VOA Português

The Mozambican capital is trying to return to normality on Tuesday, with transport running and traffic queues around the city, despite the visible police reinforcement following the violent clashes with protesters on Monday, which caused destruction and injuries.

A round carried out by Lusa this morning showed a strong police presence, including armoured vehicles from the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) strategically placed in Monday’s protest hotspots. Burnt tyres and destroyed rubbish containers still litter the streets.

Avenida Joaquim Chissano was the centre of the protests, especially near where the double murder of two supporters of Venâncio Mondlane took place on Friday, including his lawyer, Elvino Dias, and where the presidential candidate had called for a demonstration on Monday morning, prevented in the event by the strong police intervention.

Supporters of Venâncio Mondlane, who is also contesting the preliminary results of the general elections of October 9, took the protests to several neighbourhoods in the city centre and suburbs such as Polana Caniço, Xiquelene and Maxaquene, where the police also fired shots and launched tear gas to disperse gatherings.

There were no significant clashes in Maputo overnight.

This morning, and despite the visible police reinforcement in these areas, life began to return to normal, with shops beginning to reopen and the falling rain cleaning up the debris still visible on the streets.

During the clashes, the police used tear gas and shots into the air throughout the day to disperse protesters, who responded by throwing stones and burning tires. More than a dozen people were injured, including at least three journalists. The Maputo Central Hospital called a press conference to assess the situation this morning.

In addition to the capital, clashes and demonstrations were reported throughout Monday in several other Mozambican cities.

In Maputo, clashes between the police and protesters began at around 7:30 a.m. (one hour behind Lisbon), with the police dispersing groups that were beginning to gather to take part in the peaceful marches.

Mondlane accused the police of firing “real bullets” at protesters during the marches and stated that Mozambicans had come together to “save the country.”

The presidential candidate called for the marches on Saturday as a way of condemning the murder of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, leader of the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos) party, which supports him.

Mondlane described the leaders of the Mozambican police as true terrorists and promised to continue the protests in three more phases until the final election results are announced by the Constitutional Council.

The police response to the demonstrations was condemned by the international community and there were several calls for restraint from both parties, namely Portugal, the European Union and the African Union.

Source: Lusa