Mozambique: Several arrested after two shops looted in Maputo

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Mozambique: Several arrested after two shops looted in Maputo

2:39 CAT | 07 Nov 2024

Screen grab: @ninadcx/X

Several people were arrested today in central Maputo following the looting of shops in a shopping centre in central Maputo, the scene of protests contesting the results of the general elections.

According to a security guard at a shopping centre on Avenida Acordos de Lusaka in central Maputo, “more than 100 people broke into and vandalised two shops”.

The police then tried to recover stolen goods, such as televisions, mobile phones and refrigerators.

🚨estão a invadir a shoprite
VANDALISMO NÃO‼️ pic.twitter.com/jskLlFo43C

— POVO NO PODER 🇲🇿 (@ninadcx) November 7, 2024

In the Mozambican capital, large columns of smoke can be seen, mainly from tyres burning on the streets, and live bullets and grenade explosions can be heard constantly.

This morning, the police used tear gas to disperse protesters who were trying to reach the centre of Maputo from the suburbs, and the protesters responded by throwing stones and bottles at the police.

There is a strong police and military presence on the main streets of Maputo and in the suburban neighbourhoods, with armoured vehicles and members of the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) deployed.

As was the case a week ago, there are again today severe restrictions on access to the Internet, particularly social networks.

Maputo vista a partir da katembe pic.twitter.com/BoFqqLbQAe

— Luis Nhachote 🇲🇿 (@luisnhachote) November 7, 2024

The announcement by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) of Mozambique on 24 October, attributing victory in the election for President of the Republic to Daniel Chapo, supported by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the party in power since 1975), with 70.67% of the vote, sparking a call by Venâncio Mondlane for popular protest.

According to the CNE, Mondlane came in second place, with 20.32%, but has said he does not recognize the results, which still have to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.

Following street protests that paralyzed the country, Mondlane once again called for a seven-day general strike starting on October 31, with nationwide protests and a demonstration concentrated in Maputo called for today (Thursday 7-10).

The Mozambican Bar Association warned that “all the ingredients are there” for “a bloodbath”, calling for “genuine dialogue” to prevent this from happening.

Today marks the eighth day of strikes and demonstrations throughout the country, with most of them being suppressed by the police, who dispersed demonstrators with gunfire and tear gas, while protesters blocked avenues, threw stones and set fire to public and private property.

Source: Lusa