Mozambique Elections: Police “will take coercive measures” to “repel any acts of vandalism, widespread violence and public disorder, strikes and illegal demonstrations” – spokesperson | Watch

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Mozambique Elections: Police “will take coercive measures” to “repel any acts of vandalism, widespread violence and public disorder, strikes and illegal demonstrations” – spokesperson | Watch

5:58 CAT | 18 Oct 2024

Screen grab: Comando Geral da PRM/Facebook

The Mozambican police warned today that they will take “coercive measures” to stop any act of violence and public disorder on Monday, in light of the call for a strike made by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.

“The Police of the Republic of Mozambique [PRM] warns that all necessary and justifiable coercive police measures will be taken to repel any acts of vandalism, widespread violence and public disorder, strikes and illegal demonstrations in the country,” said Orlando Mudumane, PRM spokesperson, addressing the press in Maputo.

The strike was called for Monday by Venâncio Mondlane, who disputes the figures already announced by the district and provincial election commissions regarding the October 9 vote, figures that give an advantage to the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party) and the presidential candidate supported by the party, Daniel Chapo, with more than 60% of the votes.

In a statement without the right to questions, the PRM spokesperson today assured that all work activities in the country will proceed normally on Monday, promising to take “preventive measures” to inhibit acts that compromise “peace, order and public security and the free movement of people and goods”, adding, however, that the police actions will be in accordance with the principles of legality and proportionality.

The Mozambican police also expressed concern about the resurgence of speeches of “incitement or instigation of hatred” as the election results are announced.

In this context, he appealed to Mozambicans not to participate in acts of violence, demonstrations and illegal strikes and to await the results of the October 9 vote in an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity and serenity.

“Furthermore, the Police of the Republic of Mozambique urges all political and electoral actors and many other stakeholders, as well as civil society in general, to scrupulously comply with the law and respect State institutions,” said Orlando Mudumane.

The Workers’ Organization of Mozambique – Trade Union Central (OTM-CS) today distanced itself from the strike, warning of “incalculable losses” and sanctions against employees.

The Confederation of Economic Associations – CTA of Mozambique, which brings together the private sector, also criticized the strike today and warned of the economic impact of political speeches in post-election periods.

For Venâncio Mondlane, the strike would be “one of the windows of contestation” against the results, which he described as “grossly fraudulent”, stressing that it was a peaceful action.

“It is not a public demonstration of attack on institutions. If that happens, it is outside the norm of what we want. It is simply a stoppage of activities. That is all, it is nothing more or less than that”, stated Mondlane.

The general elections of October 9th included the seventh presidential elections – in which the current head of state, Filipe Nyusi, who has reached the limit of two terms, has not run – simultaneously with the seventh legislative elections and the fourth for assemblies and provincial governors.

The National Elections Commission (CNE) has 15 days, after the polls close, to announce the official election results, a date that falls on October 24th, and then it is up to the Constitutional Council to proclaim the results, after the analysis of any appeals has also been concluded, but without a defined deadline for this purpose.

Watch the video posted just now on the PRM General Command Facebook page.

Source: Lusa