Mozambican police fired live rounds at a rally supporting opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, injuring at least 16. The protest occurred before President Daniel Chapo’s planned agreement signing with political parties to address violence. Mondlane was excluded from these discussions following a controversial election, where allegations of fraud against the ruling Frelimo party persist. International observers have raised concerns over the legitimacy of the electoral process, and human rights organizations report significant casualties among protesters.
On Wednesday in Maputo, Mozambique, police resorted to firing live rounds to disperse demonstrators supporting opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, as reported by Mondlane’s aides, eyewitnesses, and local activists. The incident resulted in at least 16 injuries, according to Mondlane’s team, who communicated this via Facebook. Protesters rallied in favor of Mondlane just hours before President Daniel Chapo was set to sign an agreement with several political parties aimed at curbing violence in the region.
Mondlane, who placed second in the October 9 presidential election, has been notably absent from the discussions leading up to this agreement. The elections sparked significant unrest, with critics alleging that Chapo’s ruling Frelimo party engineered electoral fraud. Despite the Constitutional Council ultimately affirming Frelimo’s victory, they indicated that Chapo garnered 65% of the vote, markedly below the 70% reported by the electoral commission.
Since Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975, the Frelimo party has held a continuous grip on power. Observers from the West, including the European Union, have criticized the legitimacy of the electoral process, citing the need for utmost transparency in vote counting and tabulation. Additionally, international human rights organizations report over 100 fatalities attributed to security forces since the protests erupted, with some local entities estimating the death toll could exceed 300.
The recent violence in Mozambique highlights the growing tensions following the contentious October 9 election, where allegations of fraud and police brutality against demonstrators have surfaced. The exclusion of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane from peace negotiations underlines the challenges facing the political landscape in Mozambique. Civil unrest continues as local groups report a significant number of casualties resulting from clashes with security forces, raising concerns over political stability and human rights in the nation.
Original Source: www.dw.com
