Mozambique Elections: Sixteen killed and 73 injured in last week’s protests – police

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Mozambique Elections: Sixteen killed and 73 injured in last week’s protests – police

1:12 CAT | 13 Dec 2024

Screen grab: Miramar

A total of 16 people, including four members of the police, have died in the last seven days in clashes between the authorities and demonstrators protesting against the election results in Mozambique, an official source announced yesterday.

The report presented by the General Command of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) also indicates that 73 people were injured, including both members of the force and demonstrators supporting Venâncio Mondlane, the presidential candidate who is leading the demonstrations against the results of the October 9 elections.

The Mozambican police accuse supporters of Mondlane and of Podemos, the party that supports him, of trying to “subvert the constitutional order”, by attacking 11 police stations and three prisons in the last week alone.

“In connection with these criminal acts, 120 individuals were arrested,” said Orlando Mudumane, during the presentation of the report on Thursday night at the Ministry of the Interior.

According to the authorities’ data, 63 public and private infrastructures were vandalized, 73 commercial establishments were looted and 12 homes were set on fire.

“These are genuine subversive actions,” Modumane stressed.

The announcement by the National Elections Commission (CNE) on October 24 of the election results, in which Daniel Chapo was awarded victory in the presidential elections and the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) party, which strengthened its absolute majority, in the legislative elections, sparked popular protests, called by Mondlane, which have degenerated into violent clashes with the police.

The latest report from the non-governmental organization Plataforma Eleitoral Decide, which observed the electoral process, was issued on Tuesday (10-12) and indicates that a total of 110 people have died and more than 300 injured since October 21 in clashes between police and protesters.

Mondlane, who is abroad, has been calling for protests on the social network Facebook, and in his last communication, he promised to be in Maputo to take office as President of Mozambique on January 15, the date scheduled for the inauguration of the new head of state.

“The 5th elected President of the Republic of Mozambique, elected by the people, will take office on the 15th. Stay prepared,” declared Mondlane, also expecting to announce new protests in the coming days on Monday.