Mozambican police injured supporters of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane during a protest in Maputo, coinciding with President Daniel Chapo’s agreement signing to address electoral issues. Mondlane’s exclusion from the dialogue has led analysts to doubt its effectiveness in stabilizing the country, already marred by civil unrest and fatalities since the elections.
On Wednesday, Mozambican police opened fire on supporters of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane during a protest march in the capital, Maputo, injuring one of his aides. The demonstration occurred prior to President Daniel Chapo’s signing of an agreement with several political parties intended to alleviate ongoing unrest following his contentious election victory last year.
Mondlane, who secured the second position in the presidential vote, has been excluded from discussions leading to the agreement, which aims to review the country’s electoral laws. Analysts express concern that his exclusion renders the agreement ineffective in stabilizing Mozambique, a nation rich in resources.
A police spokesperson acknowledged the dispersal of marches in Maputo but withheld further details. Mondlane was unavailable for comment when approached by Reuters. In a live video from his Facebook account, he was seen addressing supporters while gunfire erupted, causing chaos as people fled the scene.
Zenaida Machado, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, reported that the organization has verified at least ten injuries attributed to police actions on that day. Machado highlighted that targeting peaceful assemblies poses risks to Mozambique’s stability efforts.
According to the civil society group Plataforma Decide, over 350 fatalities have occurred amidst post-election protests that began in late October. Mondlane declared his intention to persist with anti-government demonstrations, deeming Wednesday’s agreement as lacking representation for the people.
He criticized Chapo and the ruling Frelimo party, accusing them of election fraud, a claim persistently denied by Frelimo, which has governed Mozambique since its independence from Portugal in 1975.
The recent police violence against Venancio Mondlane’s supporters in Mozambique underscores the ongoing political tensions following disputed elections. The exclusion of Mondlane from pivotal discussions regarding electoral reforms raises doubts about the government’s commitment to addressing grievances. With civil unrest escalating, the situation remains precarious, calling into question the prospects for stability in the resource-rich nation.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
