At least 30 reported killed in weeks of post-vote violence in Mozambique

Soldiers deployed arsenic Mozambicans protestation nan Frelimo party, which has held connected to powerfulness for astir half a century.

At slightest 30 group person been killed successful Mozambique successful adjacent to 3 weeks of crackdowns connected protests that erupted successful nan aftermath of a disputed statesmanlike election, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

“At slightest 30 group were killed betwixt October 19 and November 6 inclusive crossed nan country,” nan New York-based authorities organisation told nan AFP news agency.

The toll did not see unit connected Thursday erstwhile constabulary and soldiers dispersed thousands of demonstrators successful nan capital, Maputo.

Mozambique’s Centre for Democracy and Human Rights has reported 34 deaths overall.

On October 24, nan ruling Frelimo party, which has been successful powerfulness since nan Southern African nation’s independency from Portugal 49 years ago, was declared victorious successful nan election pinch much than 70 percent of nan votes.

Opposition groups and observers based on that nan October 9 elections were unfair and rigged, starring to thousands participating successful demonstrations that saw a convulsive crackdown by nan authorities.

The Mozambique government’s arbitrary restrictions connected net entree break quality authorities and should beryllium lifted immediately.

The restrictions travel a convulsive crackdown connected guidance supporters who peacefully marched to protestation wide predetermination results.
https://t.co/Eg6E9vpSNR pic.twitter.com/1Qrr9JLTYg

— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) November 7, 2024

Mozambique’s largest infirmary said connected Friday that astatine slightest 3 group were killed and 66 injured during clashes betwixt constabulary and protesters nan erstwhile day.

“Of nan 66 injured, 57 were perchance caused by firearms, 4 were caused by falls, 3 were injured by beingness aggression and 2 were injured by crisp weapons,” said Dino Lopes, head of nan big emergency work astatine Maputo Central Hospital.

Most of nan victims were 25 to 35 years aged pinch others arsenic young arsenic 15, he said astatine a news conference.

Mozambican constabulary person been accused by quality authorities groups of utilizing unrecorded ammunition against governmental protesters successful nan past. The interior curate has defended nan constabulary consequence to nan astir caller demonstrations, saying it was basal to reconstruct nationalist order.

Mozambique’s equipped forces spokesperson, General Omar Saranga, announced astatine a late-night news convention connected Thursday that soldiers person now been deployed connected nan streets to thief support nan constabulary successful keeping order.

“In moments for illustration this, pinch demonstrations taking spot successful immoderate regions, our domiciled besides extends to supporting information forces successful maintaining nationalist bid and peace,” Saranga said.

The statesmanlike palace successful nan state of 34 cardinal group has been placed nether dense guard, and information forces perpetually patrol nan streets. Many are locking themselves successful their homes.

Thousands of protesters group fires and barricaded roads successful nan superior connected Thursday successful nan biggest objection since nan election. Police fired tear state and rubber bullets arsenic protesters chanted, “Frelimo must fall,” and immoderate threw rocks.

The Constitutional Council has not yet validated nan results of nan election, which is required for charismatic nickname of nan results.

President Filipe Nyusi of Frelimo is stepping down aft serving nan 2 position allowed nether nan constitution, handing complete to Daniel Chapo, who was declared nan victor of nan statesmanlike election.