Mozambique Elections: Troops on the streets ‘only to support police’ amid protests

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Mozambique Elections: Troops on the streets ‘only to support police’ amid protests

12:26 CAT | 09 Nov 2024

FILE - For illustration purposes only. Maputo, November 7 2024 [File photo: Screen grab DW Africa]

The Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique (FADM) said early on Thursday evening that the situation in the country, given the violent post-election protests, especially in Maputo, was stable and that they are on the ground only to support the security forces.

The Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM) said early on Thursday evening (07-11), that the situation in the country, in the face of violent post-election protests, especially in Maputo, was stable, and that the FADM were on the ground only in “support” of the security forces.

“At times like this, with demonstrations taking place in some regions, our role also extends to supporting the security forces in maintaining public order and tranquillity, always acting in a subsidiary manner and in coordination with the civil authorities,” said General Omar Saranga, representing the FADM.

He said that the military on the ground were, at the beginning of Thursday evening, removing burnt tires and debris from barricades on the capital’s avenues where protesters had left the roads practically impassable after violent clashes with the police, who throughout the day fired shots and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the groups.

“We – I mean all the Defence and Security Forces – are controlling the situation. And the Mozambicans understand that the priority is not to destroy, the priority is to build. And our presence, with other forces, is precisely to contribute to this effect,” General Saranga goes on to say.

“The general state of the nation is stable. It is under control. Public institutions, although they are not functioning at their best – if they did not do so today (Thursday) it is because the conditions did not allow it – because the lives of these Mozambicans must be safeguarded,” he added, stressing that “the rights of some should not impede the rights of others”.

“In the coming days we will continue to act as we did today [Thursday], to show that we are determined to build a strong and united Mozambique,” he went on.

Throughout the day on Thursday, while conflicts broke out throughout the capital, with protesters setting up barricades of burning tyres on several central arteries, the behaviour of the military, who even escorted protesters who wanted to return home without incident, was lauded by various sectors of society, with moments of peaceful interaction with the population on public display.

“It shows that the FADM is a credible defence force that fulfils its duty and task of defending all Mozambicans, regardless of their religious, political or other affiliation,” General Saranga said.

Lusa noted early on Thursday evening that dozens of Mozambican soldiers were in the centre of Maputo, carrying shovels, to clean up the destruction and vandalism caused by the demonstrations.

It was not yet 7:00 p.m. when two trucks carrying soldiers arrived at the Avenida Acordos de Lusaka, the scene this morning of several acts of vandalism and looting of two furniture and telecommunications stores in the Shoprite shopping centre.

After quickly forming up, with guns slung over their shoulders and shovels in hand, the soldiers headed to the avenue and adjacent streets to clean up the remains of dozens of burning tires and trash containers, removing rocks of all sizes and the whole trail of destruction, before the surprised eyes of the residents.

“They’re doing a great job,” said one resident watching soldiers remove the still-burning debris from streets that, hours earlier, had been filled with chaos and destruction. They also tackled what was left of the barricades set up by supporters of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognize the announced results of the general elections of October 9 and who had called for the protests.

Just hours earlier, the police had in the same location stopped demonstrations by Mondlane supporters by firing shots into the air and launching tear gas, with the supporters responding by throwing rocks and bottles.

🚨 Unprecedented Solidarity in Maputo this afternoon: Protesters Hang Onto Military Tank, Met with Empathy Instead of Force 🌍 pic.twitter.com/MfVhO96CIF

— Prof. Adriano Nuvunga (@adriano_nuvunga) November 7, 2024