A police shooting at a march in Maputo injured a member of Venâncio Mondlane’s entourage. The incident occurred while Mondlane was marching toward a political agreement signing event. Concerns over political dialogue have escalated amid rising social unrest over electoral results and economic issues in Mozambique.
A member of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane’s caravan suffered injuries following a police shooting during a march in Maputo. This event occurred around 1 PM in the Hulene neighborhood as Mondlane’s group advanced towards Praça dos Combatentes, departing from Praça da Juventude.
Abdul Nariz, part of Mondlane’s communications team, reported that a heavily armed police unit fired directly at their vehicle, deploying tear gas and live ammunition. “We had to flee because the situation was not pleasant,” Nariz stated, highlighting the severity of the incident.
The Mozambican police have established a significant presence on the major routes leading to the Joaquim Chissano Conference Center, where a political agreement is set to be inked. This agreement involves the President of Mozambique and various political factions, aimed at initiating state reforms and addressing the post-electoral crisis.
The signing ceremony will commence at 3 PM and include representatives from several political parties, including the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), alongside the extra-parliamentary New Democracy party.
Critics have raised concerns over the exclusion of Mondlane from the dialogue despite his status as the second most-voted candidate in the recent elections. President Daniel Chapo has stated his commitment to maintaining order and stability, even suggesting that force may be necessary. He asserted, “We will shed blood to defend this homeland against demonstrations, if we must,” reflecting the tense political climate.
Since October, Mozambique has experienced significant social unrest, spurred by Mondlane’s protests against the election results favoring Chapo. Discontent is also fueled by public grievances regarding the increasing cost of living.
The recent police shooting during a march led by Venâncio Mondlane highlights the rising tensions in Mozambique following disputed election results. Despite calls for broader dialogue, criticisms regarding the exclusion of Mondlane persist. This incident underscores the ongoing social unrest and discontent regarding economic conditions in the country, emphasizing the need for constructive political engagement.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
