Mozambique’s government has prohibited protests following weeks of violent unrest sparked by last month’s disputed presidential election. The clashes have left at least 18 people dead and dozens injured, according to Human Rights Watch.
The unrest began in late October in the capital, Maputo, after Daniel Chapo, the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, was declared the winner with over 71% of the vote. Frelimo has been in power since Mozambique’s independence in 1975.
Venâncio Mondlane, the opposition candidate who garnered 20% of the vote, went into hiding before the results were announced, citing safety concerns. His fears were fueled by the killing of his lawyer and aide as they prepared to challenge the election results.
Last week, security forces, including soldiers, were deployed to quell escalating protests, which have become the largest since the turmoil began on October 9. Demonstrators barricaded roads and set fires, prompting police to respond with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda has labeled the protests “acts of subversion and terrorism,” claiming they disrupt daily life and destabilize the country. “These are not protests; they are acts of terror,” Ronda stated, referencing the impact on vendors and workers in affected areas.
The government alleges that protest organizers are using “drugged” youth to incite unrest, a charge the opposition denies. Ronda has vowed to clamp down on “criminal acts” and declared protests forbidden due to their severity.
Rights groups report a higher death toll, estimating more than 30 fatalities linked to the violence. Meanwhile, access to the internet has been restricted across Mozambique, which Human Rights Watch criticized as an attempt to suppress dissent and public criticism.
In a related development, two South African journalists covering the unrest were detained under unclear circumstances, according to News Central TV. Efforts to establish contact with the journalists have been unsuccessful. The network called their detention “deeply concerning” and is seeking their release through diplomatic channels.
Despite opposition claims of electoral fraud and rigging, the government has denied any wrongdoing. President Filipe Nyusi is set to step down after completing his constitutionally mandated two terms, leaving the country in a politically charged atmosphere.
