Mozambique Elections: Mondlane supporters whistle and bang to protest election result

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Mozambique Elections: Mondlane supporters whistle and bang to protest election result

7:59 CAT | 18 Nov 2024

File photo: AIM

Mozambican cities on Friday and Saturday, from 21.00 to 22.00, experienced moments of noise in which demonstrators whistle, play musical instruments, and bang metal objects, especially pots, in order to protest against the allegedly fraudulent results of the general elections held on 9 October.

These protests, called by the independent presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, came at the end of the first three days of “phase four” of demonstrations across the country. During the three days of demonstrations, ports and borders were affected. The Ressano Garcia, the largest border post between Mozambique and South Africa, was totally closed.

The noise also aimed at condemning the police violence and murder “of defenceless people during demonstrations.”

According to Mondlane, speaking from an undisclosed location, through his Facebook channel on Saturday afternoon, the noise must continue till Tuesday when he will announce the measures that will be adopted during the “second moment of demonstrations” of “phase four”.

“We will announce the new measures on Tuesday. But until then, we must continue to bang our pots and musical instruments in order to annoy our oppressors. We must make noise until they surrender, respect the people’s will and restore the electoral truth”, he said.

He explained that the noise will continue until the ruling Frelimo party surrenders “because we mustn’t continue having our people living in miserable conditions. The government must also set up a national plan to end the kidnappings that have been plaguing the country for years.”

The great advantage of this type of demonstration is that it is bloodless. The police may be angered, but they cannot shoot or tear gas everyone blowing a whistle. But some people took advantage of the moment to loot stores in the Patrice Lumumba neighbourhood in the southern city of Matola.

All the main cities experienced moments of clattering noise, but it is quite impossible to estimate how many people took part.

On Saturday, the Maputo police were once again attacking demonstrators. This time they launched tear gas grenades at several hundred teachers who were demanding the overtime payments the government owes them, and general improvements to the education system.

The teachers refused to be intimidated. They washed the tear gas from their faces and demanded the right to march. After a brief negotiation, the police climbed down, and the teachers marched through central Maputo, chanting “Teachers, united, will never be defeated!”

Source: AIM