Mozambique: EU condemns excessive use of force and running over in Maputo

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Mozambique: EU condemns excessive use of force and running over in Maputo

4:00 CAT | 28 Nov 2024

FILE - European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy Peter Stano. [File photo: Euronews]

The European Union (EU) this Thursday condemned the “excessive use of force” and demanded an end to the “violent repression of demonstrations” in Mozambique, following the “shocking images” of a military vehicle running over a woman.

On the social network X, EU diplomacy spokesman Peter Stano wrote that ” images of a security forces’ vehicle running over civilians in Maputo” are “shocking”.

“Excessive use of force and violent repression of manifestations should stop. People’s rights to speak up and peacefully protest must be upheld,” Stano added.

Mozambique: Shocking images of a security forces’ vehicle running over civilians in Maputo. Excessive use of force and violent repression of manifestations should stop.
People’s rights to speak up and peacefully protest must be upheld.

— Peter Stano (@ExtSpoxEU) November 28, 2024

The Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) admitted on Wednesday that they had run over a young woman in the Mozambican capital, clarifying that the vehicle was “on a mission to protect economic objects” against protesters and that the victim was “promptly rescued”.

“This vehicle was on a mission to protect essential economic objects, clean and unblock traffic routes, as part of the post-election demonstrations and was part of a properly marked military column,” reads a press release from the Mozambican Ministry of Defence.

The document states that the victim was “promptly rescued” and evacuated to Maputo Central Hospital, and claims that she is receiving “appropriate hospital treatment”.

Yesterday, a family source confirmed to Lusa that the young woman had been run over on Wednesday morning and was in a serious condition

At least three people died in Mozambique and five others were injured by gunfire on Wednesday during demonstrations contesting the election results, according to the Mozambican non-governmental organization Plataforma Eleitoral Decide.

On Tuesday, presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane appealed to Mozambicans to leave their cars on the streets with signs protesting the election for three days, starting on Wednesday, from 8:00 a.m. until they return from work.

Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has called for demonstrations, which have degenerated into clashes with the police – who have resorted to firing tear gas and gunfire to disperse the protests – as a way of contesting the awarding of victory by the National Elections Commission (CNE) to Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo with 70.67% of the vote, a result yet to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.

Source: Lusa