Mozambique: MDM accuses authorities of political persecution

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Mozambique: MDM accuses authorities of political persecution

2:46 CAT | 26 Jun 2018

In file CoM

The Mozambican Democratic Movement (MDM) accuses the police of persecution and intimidation of its members and supporters in the central province of Sofala. The latest case, according to the party, was this Monday.

Mozambique’s Independence Day, June 25, in Sofala province was overshadowed by accusations by the second-largest Mozambican opposition party.

According to Sande Carmona, a spokesman for the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), police fired shots into the air to disperse party members trying to march in salute to national independence in the cities of Dondo and Beira. In addition, a member of the MDM party was bitten by a police dog.

The citizen, according to Carmona, “was detained [at the Chota police station in Beira] and thanks to the efforts of the MDM members who went to the police station together, the police eventually released the man to receive medical treatment.”

Elections around the corner

MDM complains of political persecution and fears that with the approach of the October 10th municipal elections, the situation will worsen.

“There have been a number of incidents, but in recent times we thought that political coexistence might be possible. Unfortunately, as the election date appraoches, the abuse of arms has intensified, “said the party’s spokesman.

Provincial police command “not aware”

However, the Provincial Police Command in Sofala said that it has not yet had any record of what happened, both in Beira and in Dondo. But Daniel Macuácua, head of Public Relations at the Provincial Command, emphasizes that he will continue to contact the district commander.

“At no moment was this information given to us,” said Macuácua in an interview with DW Africa. “But we will continue to interact with the [police] subunits to find out if someone has complained about something like that.”

Old complaints

This is not the first case where the MDM complains of persecution of its members by police officers.

Last year, when supporters of the MDM and the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) were celebrating Quelimane on Mozambican Women’s Day, April 7, elements of the Rapid Intervention Force (FIR) demanded the immediate withdrawal of an MDM flag that was on site. Faced with the resistance of Daviz Simango’s party supporters to comply with the order, police assaulted participants and two people were injured.

Source: DW