Mozambique: 30 of the 401 post-election demonstrations were “very violent” – police

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Mozambique: 30 of the 401 post-election demonstrations were “very violent” – police

3:19 CAT | 18 Jan 2024

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Lusa]

The Mozambican police have recorded 401 demonstrations since the sixth local elections on October 11, 30 of which it classified as “very violent”, the corporation’s general commander said on Wednesday.

“The police were called to respond, since the October elections, to 401 demonstrations that we guaranteed and protected and, of these, 30 were very violent,” Bernardino Rafael told a press conference taking stock of the party season in Ressano Garcia, in Maputo province.

The general commander of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) called on the authorities to find a “field of dialogue” to resolve “all electoral conflicts harmoniously”.

Bernardino Rafael also mentioned the upcoming general elections, challenging the police force to ensure that the vote takes place “without disturbing public order and security”.

“It’s a big challenge we face, judging by the political emotions we are experiencing now in the local elections,” Rafael said.

The sixth municipal elections, in which the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo, in power) was declared the winner in 60 municipalities out of a total of 65, were strongly contested by the opposition, which did not recognize the official results, and by civil society.

Since the announcement of the results by the National Elections Commission (CNE), the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), the largest opposition party, has led more than 50 protest marches, with some culminating in skirmishes between party supporters and police forces. A number of people were arrested, and others injured.

Renamo claims victory in the country’s largest cities, including Maputo, based on parallel counts of the original minutes and notices, but was declared winner in only four municipalities, half the number it held previously, while the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), third parliamentary political force, maintained only the municipality of Beira, as before.

The elections to choose the next President of the Republic, parliament and provincial leaders are scheduled for October 9th this year.

Source: Lusa