Mozambique: National Defence and Security Council asks police to prioritise dialogue

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Mozambique: National Defence and Security Council asks police to prioritise dialogue

2:22 CAT | 14 Nov 2024

Image: Rádio Moçambique

The National Defence and Security Council (CNDS) of Mozambique on Wednesday asked the Defence and Security Forces to prioritise dialogue during the protests against the October elections, acknowledging “disastrous consequences” for the economy.

“[The CNDS] called on the Defence and Security Forces [FDS] to continue to prioritise dialogue with the population and for their actions to prioritise the protection of the lives and property of Mozambicans,” reads a statement sent to the media by the Presidency of Mozambique, after an extraordinary meeting of the CNDS chaired by the Mozambican head of state, Filipe Nyusi, in Maputo.

The Defence and Security Council recognised the constitutional right to demonstrate, but deplored the involvement of children in the protests, the obstacles to the functioning of institutions and to the free movement of people and goods, and the “veiled attempt to subvert the legitimately established democratic order”.

The protests, the statement said, were having “disastrous consequences” for the Mozambican economy, calling on the authorities to identify those responsible for the acts so that they can be held “accountable”.

“The body sent its heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones as a result of the protests and stands in solidarity with the business owners whose businesses were vandalized or looted,” the document continues, praising the FDS for the “attitude and sense of state” demonstrated during the protests, which helped to restore law and order.

Mozambique, and especially the capital Maputo, have experienced work stoppages and demonstrations called since 21 October by Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognise the results of the general elections announced by the National Electoral Commission, which gave victory to Daniel Chapo and the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party).

The Mozambican Public Prosecutor’s Office has already opened 208 criminal proceedings to hold accountable the “moral and material” perpetrators of the violence in the post-election demonstrations, the Attorney General’s Office also announced on Tuesday, holding presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane responsible.

Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane called for a new three-day period of national demonstrations contesting the electoral process in Mozambique, in all provincial capitals, including Maputo, starting today.

Source: Lusa