Mozambique: Foreign Minister expresses desire to boost economic ties with Angola
Photo: O País
The Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), which supports Venâncio Mondlane’s candidacy, demands that criminal proceedings be instituted against the soldiers who ran over a young woman during protests in Maputo on Wednesday.
In a press release issued this Thursday, the political party also called for the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence and Security Forces, the General Commander of the Mozambican Police and the Attorney General of the Republic, stating that “this is the first step” towards restoring constitutional order in the country.
Podemos also states that the running over of the young woman and other police actions represent “serious acts of flagrant violation of human rights that constitute crimes against humanity”, arguing that demonstrations are a constitutional right.
Podemos also asks Mozambicans to support those injured during demonstrations aimed at contesting the election results.
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.
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