Mozambique: Writers and filmmakers condemn double homicide, call for tolerance and respect for differences

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Mozambique: Writers and filmmakers condemn double homicide, call for tolerance and respect for differences

6:48 CAT | 23 Oct 2024

Image: Social Media

Paulo Guambe, one of the victims, was remembered for his role in promoting Mozambican culture and cinema. The artists’ movements emphasise that plurality of opinion is “the life-blood of art”.

The Mozambican writers’ and filmmakers’ associations this Tuesday condemned the double homicide of supporters of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane in Maputo on Friday, calling for “tolerance and respect for differences”.

“In this time of mourning, Mozambican filmmakers unite to mourn and vehemently repudiate his tragic and unjust death. In a post-election period, it is crucial to remember that, regardless of our political choices, what moves us, as a class, is the desire for progress and well-being of our society,” reads the statement from the Mozambican Filmmakers’ Association (AMOCINE).

Mozambican police confirmed to Lusa on Saturday that the vehicle in which Elvino Dias, Venâncio Mondlane’s lawyer, and Paulo Guambe, representative of the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), a party that supports Mondlane, were travelling, were shot dead, and was “ambushed”.

The crime took place on Avenida Joaquim Chissano, in the centre of the capital, and, according to the police, a woman who was travelling in the back seat of the vehicle was also shot and taken to hospital.

Paulo Guambe is described by AMOCINE as a filmmaker, dedicated actor, teacher, scriptwriter and photographer “recognised for his integrity and firm convictions”, highlighting that he will be remembered for “his work and dedication to students”.

“Plurality of opinion and freedom of expression are the life-blood of art, essential for its flourishing, and fundamental pillars of social development, and tolerance and respect for these differences must endure and be cherished by all,” reads the press release, which also highlights that Paulo Guambe was an example in the promotion of Mozambican culture and cinema.

For its part, the Writers’ Association of Mozambique (AEMO) also condemned the murder of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, warning of the “wave of violence and social upheaval with irreversible consequences” in the country.

“Credible evidence must be gathered by the police and presented to the justice system and to society as a whole in a clear and transparent manner. In this way, the respect and credibility of the police forces can only be strengthened. In this way, we will be consolidating the police and justice institutions that are a bulwark of our citizenship,” the AEMO release adds.

“Our history is full of blood, deaths and hatred that has been manufactured over the years. We need to live without fear, without lies, without more violence. We need to rebuild trust in the institutions and processes that make us a nation, a democracy and a people who want to escape poverty,” AEMO concludes.

The general elections of October 9th included the seventh presidential elections, simultaneously with the legislative elections and elections for provincial assemblies and governors.

The National Elections Commission (CNE) has 15 days to announce the official results, which is due on October 24th. The Constitutional Council will then be responsible for proclaiming the results, after also concluding the analysis of any appeals, but without a set deadline for this purpose.

Source: Lusa