Tragic Outcome of Mozambique Protests: Police Kill Two During Demonstration

Mozambique police shot and killed two protesters during a demonstration in Maputo called by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane against alleged electoral manipulation. The incident coincided with ongoing civil unrest post-October elections, where significant police violence has been reported. Witnesses described police aggression towards demonstrators, exacerbating public discontent and calls for accountability.

On Tuesday, Mozambique police fired on protesters in Maputo, leading to the deaths of two individuals during a demonstration organized by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. This event marked the first major protest in weeks, following months of unrest after the disputed October presidential elections, which Mondlane asserts were manipulated in favor of President Daniel Chapo. Eyewitnesses reported seeing two bodies covered with blankets in the Matola area, amidst pools of blood.

According to AFP reports, police attempted to disband the crowd and subsequently opened fire, resulting in the fatalities, one of whom reportedly sustained a shot to the head. Two local civil society organizations corroborated these accounts, asserting that police had fired upon the protesters. Mondlane, who finished second in the presidential race amid documented irregularities by international observers, alleged that he was denied victory. His prior protests have seen over 360 fatalities at the hands of police forces, as reported by Plataforma Decide.

Earlier this month, law enforcement’s use of live ammunition resulted in at least 14 injuries during an opposition march. Plataforma Decide shared a social media post confirming one of the deceased from the recent protest, citing a witness who claimed that police pursued the victims into nearby neighborhoods before shooting at them.

The Centre for Democracy and Development also reported that the police’s Rapid Intervention Unit targeted its team covering the protests with live gunfire. Human rights officer Andre Mulungo from the CDD conveyed that the demonstrators had been peaceful, merely expressing their frustrations when confronted by police aggression.

Amid the turmoil, a demonstrator voiced discontent, stating, “We have no jobs, nothing. They’re killing us, what are we going to do? They want blood?”. President Chapo, who assumed office in mid-January, represents the Frelimo party, which has maintained a continuous governance since the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975. Despite official results showing Chapo with 65 percent of votes and Mondlane with 24 percent, the opposition leader declared he secured 53 percent, presenting Frelimo with unprecedented electoral challenges in decades.

The recent police shooting during protests in Maputo has underscored growing tensions in Mozambique following disputed presidential elections. The opposition leader Venancio Mondlane claims electoral manipulation has led to widespread discontent and loss of lives. The situation remains dire as civil society voices continue to call attention to police violence against peaceful demonstrators, with many alleging systemic injustice and repression under the current government.

Original Source: www.victoriaadvocate.com