Mozambique: MDM sees protests, political accord as ‘landmark moment’

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Mozambique: MDM sees protests, political accord as ‘landmark moment’

2:31 CAT | 07 Mar 2025

File photo: RTP África

The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the country’s fourth largest parliamentary force, on Friday called the post-election demonstrations and the political agreement to re-establish peace “a landmark moment in the country’s history” as it marked 16 years since its creation.

“The celebrations of the 16th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique take place at a remarkable moment in the history of our beloved country, [namely] the demonstrations and protests after the rigged elections and the signing of the political commitment to inclusive national dialogue,” reads a statement released by the MDM, signed by Lutero Simango, the party’s president.

Since October, Mozambique has been experiencing severe social unrest, with demonstrations and stoppages called by Venâncio Mondlane, the former presidential candidate, who rejects the election results of 9 October, which gave victory to Daniel Chapo.

On Wednesday, the president and Mozambique’s main political parties signed an agreement in Maputo focusing on state reforms, as part of the political dialogue to end the country’s post-election crisis.

“It’s a commitment that focuses on the state as a whole and not on people or the privileges or favours of a group of people or one person. It’s a different kind of action to discuss the country,” said the head of state, after signing the commitment with nine political groupings.

Albano Carige, the mayor of Beira, the only person elected by the MDM, also said on Wednesday that Venâncio Mondlane should be included in the agreements between the government and the opposition, considering that his absence could contribute to the non-implementation of this understanding.

“Venâncio Mondlane is a key player in the instability that the country is experiencing. The political parties, the president must have the courage to seek out this Mozambican and say to him: look, what should we do to keep Mozambique moving forward?” said Albano Carige, president of the municipal council of Beira, in Sofala province, in the centre of the country.

On the day the agreement was signed, at least 16 people were shot among the supporters of a march led by Venâncio Mondlane in Maputo, according to the Decide Electoral Platform.

Since October, at least 353 people have died, including around two dozen minors, according to the same platform.

Mozambique’s government has confirmed at least 80 deaths, as well as the destruction of 1,677 commercial establishments, 177 schools and 23 health centres during the demonstrations.

Currently, on a smaller scale, post-election protests have been taking place in different parts of the country and, as well as contesting the results, people are complaining about the rising cost of living and other social problems.

Source: Lusa