Police Violence Against Opposition in Mozambique: A Growing Crisis

Mozambican police fired on opposition supporters in Maputo, injuring one during a protest against President Chapo’s signing of a political agreement. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, excluded from the talks, vowed to continue protests, alleging electoral fraud. Human Rights Watch confirmed injuries, and local groups reported over 350 deaths from related unrest.

On Wednesday, Mozambican police opened fire on supporters of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane during a protest march in the capital, Maputo, injuring at least one member of his entourage, as reported by Portuguese news agency Lusa. The gathering occurred prior to President Daniel Chapo’s signing of an agreement with select political parties addressing the ongoing protests related to his contentious election victory last year.

Mondlane, who finished second in the presidential election, has been excluded from discussions leading to this agreement, which is intended to revise the country’s electoral laws. Analysts have expressed concerns that Mondlane’s exclusion will hinder stabilizing efforts in the resource-rich nation.

A police spokesperson confirmed the dispersal of protests but refrained from providing further details. Notably, Mondlane was unreachable for comments when contacted by Reuters. A live video from his Facebook page showed him in a vehicle amidst cheering supporters, until gunshots were heard, abruptly cutting off the broadcast.

According to Zenaida Machado, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, at least ten individuals sustained injuries from the police’s actions aimed at a peaceful protest. She pointed out that such violence undermines stability in Mozambique. Additionally, local monitoring group Plataforma Decide reported over 350 fatalities stemming from the unrest that began post-election in late October.

Mondlane has vowed to persist with his protests against the government, asserting that the agreement being signed lacks popular support. He accuses President Chapo and the ruling Frelimo party of winning the October elections through fraudulent means, a claim that has been supported by some Western observers, while Frelimo denies any allegations of electoral fraud, having governed since the end of Portuguese colonial rule in 1975.

The recent violence against opposition supporters during protests in Mozambique underscores significant challenges to governance and democratic processes in the country. With President Chapo’s agreement emerging amid exclusions and allegations of electoral malfeasance, the political landscape remains fraught with tension. Mondlane’s commitment to continue his protests highlights ongoing dissatisfaction among segments of the population, raising critical questions about the future of stability and reform in Mozambique.

Original Source: www.usnews.com