CIP Mozambique Elections: Low turnout continues
Mozambique Elections: Police SMS asks citizens to “abstain from criminal practices”
11:28 CAT | 31 Oct 2024
Maputo, October 31, 2024. [Screen grab: CDD Moçambique]
The Mozambican police sent text messages to mobile phones this morning, on the first day of a week-long general strike called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, asking citizens to “abstain from criminal practices”.
“The vandalism and sabotage of public and private infrastructure and property, the obstruction of access routes and the burning of tires on roads are acts that negatively interfere with public order in the country,” reads the SMS sent by the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM).
“Abstain from these criminal practices,” the message urges.
🚨🚨UM BALEADO A MINUTOS EM TETE🚨🚨
Estes jovens estavam a preparar-se para uma marcha pacífica, apareceram polícias e balearam este jovem no vídeo, foi encaminhado para o hospital como podem ver, isso em tete.
Deus é pai
Sr. Presidente da República e Sr. Comandante da PRM… pic.twitter.com/fkMDnqGDeu— Wilker Dias🇲🇿 (@wilkerDias13) October 31, 2024
Armed soldiers with war weapons deployed in the heart of Maputo, ready to confront citizens who will be in the streets tomorrow demanding #ElectoralJustice. The fight for democracy should not be met with intimidation. #Mozambique #HumanRights #JusticeNow pic.twitter.com/lJG6nsN840
— Prof. Adriano Nuvunga (@adriano_nuvunga) October 30, 2024
Venâncio Mondlane has called for a week-long general strike in Mozambique starting today, in addition to demonstrations at the district headquarters of the National Electoral Commission (CNE) and marches in Maputo on November 7.
In a survey of the capital early this morning, Lusa found practically no movement on the streets, with establishments closed, although some public transport was operating.
There was also police reinforcement on the city’s main arteries, but no problems were reported so far.
Internet services such as the WhatsApp messaging platform are operating with limitations, at least in Maputo.
Mondlane described this as the third stage of the contestation of the results of the October 9 general elections, announced a week ago by the CNE, which follows the protests held on the 21st, 24th and 25th.
The protests degenerated into clashes with the police, resulting in at least 10 deaths, dozens injured and 500 arrests, according to the Centre for Public Integrity, a Mozambican non-governmental organization that monitors electoral processes.
The protest called by Mondlane received the support of around 40 opposition political (mainly extra-parliamentary) parties, which announced on Wednesday an “unprecedented alliance” to contest the results announced by the CNE and promised to “lead the people” in the protests, considering this to be a constitutional right.
Also on Wednesday, the Mozambican government warned that it “does not want a repeat” of last week’s almost total three-day strike, and promised to provide security to companies in the face of the call for a seven-day strike.
“Our appeal is for companies to remain open. Our appeal is for workers, employees to go to their workplaces. The government will do its best to guarantee security and we want the country to not come to a standstill, because this will have a major impact on the country’s economy,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce, Silvino Moreno.
On Monday, the PRM announced that it had opened criminal proceedings against Venâncio Mondlane and his supporters for the escalation of post-election violence in the country.
According to the Minister of the Interior, Pascoal Ronda, Mondlane is inciting violence and leading the “manipulation of public opinion” through social media from South Africa.
In his statement on Facebook on Tuesday, Mondlane called for demonstrations at local CNE offices and the headquarters of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party) starting today, for those who are unable to travel, and asking the rest to begin their journey to the capital from all over the country by November 7.
“We are going to fill the entire city of Maputo and I am predicting four million Mozambicans (…), a flood never seen before,” he appealed, acknowledging that he was asking for “a sacrifice” from the population.
On October 24, the CNE announced the victory of Daniel Chapo, supported by Frelimo, the party in power since 1975, in the election for President of the Republic on October 9, with 70.67% of the votes.
Venâncio Mondlane, supported by the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos, an extra-parliamentary party), came in second place, with 20.32%, but stated that he did not recognize these results, which still have to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.
Frelimo also strengthened its parliamentary majority, increasing it from 184 to 195 deputies (out of 250), and elected all 10 provincial governors of the country.
Source: Lusa
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