MOZAMBIQUE OPPOSITION LEADER: 50+ PROTESTERS KILLED

Post-election election violence in Mozambique has reportedly taken more lives amidst calls for regional leaders to help map the way forward.

On 19 November, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane appeared on a Facebook livestream (@venamondlane on FB), claiming authorities had k*lled at least 50 protesters.

The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (@CDD_Moz on X), a civil society organisation, put the figure at 65, while the outgoing president, Filipe Nyusi, claimed only 19 deaths.

Opposition supporters have been taking to the streets in protest against the outcome of the 9 October elections. The country's electoral body declared Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), the winner with almost 71 per cent of the vote.

According to the official results, Mondlane was the distant runner-up. He insisted that the results were fraudulent and has, on several occasions, called for nationwide shutdowns and protests. However, in his recent livestream, he encouraged people to protest near their homes.

Many have accused security forces of being heavy-handed. However, the government has defended them, claiming the action is necessary to restore public order.

Sources:

https://www.voanews.com/a/mozambique-unrest-costing-region/7864328.html

https://www.actionsa.org.za/escalating-election-violence-in-mozambique

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/southern-africa/three-killed-66-injured-in-mozambique-opposition-protest-4816736

https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-opposition-leader-says-50-killed-in-protests-270891

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/24/mozambique-ruling-party-declared-winner-of-election-amid-fraud-claims

https://medafricatimes.com/37479-mozambique-in-crisis-opposition-has-little-hope-in-sadc-support-as-regional-leaders-meet-in-harare.html

https://www.theafricareport.com/368265/mozambique-crisis-is-sadc-chairperson-president-emmerson-mnangagwa-the-best-broker/

https://x.com/TechMagZW/status/1859174721163526465

https://www.dw.com/en/can-southern-african-development-community-resolve-political-unrest-in-mozambique/a-70773327

https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-hold-extraordinary-summit-heads-state-and-government-harare-zimbabwe

https://african.business/2024/11/politics/mozambique-post-election-tensions-disrupt-regional-trade

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwygrne8363o