Mozambique police opened fire on protesters in Maputo, killing two during a demonstration organized by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. This protest follows months of unrest related to allegations of fraudulent elections favoring President Daniel Chapo. Witnesses reported aggressive police tactics, with local civil society confirming the fatalities and emphasizing the growing societal discontent.
On Tuesday, Mozambique police fired upon demonstrators in capital Maputo during a protest organized by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, resulting in two fatalities. This marks the first significant protest by Mondlane following a series of violent demonstrations prompted by allegations of election rigging in favor of President Daniel Chapo.
Reports from the scene included images of two individuals covered by blankets amidst pools of blood in the Matola area, as eyewitnesses and AFP journalists confirmed the police’s use of force against the crowd. One victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head, further substantiating claims from local civil society groups regarding the aggression of law enforcement.
Mondlane, who narrowly lost the recent presidential election, contends that the results were fraudulent, with international observers noting numerous irregularities. He has mobilized protests, which led to violent confrontations resulting in over 360 fatalities, as reported by the civil society organization Plataforma Decide. Just this month, police inflicted injuries upon at least 14 protesters using live ammunition to disperse a gathering.
Witnesses recounted police chasing individuals into neighborhoods and opening fire indiscriminately. Human rights advocates echoed these accounts, highlighting that peaceful demonstrators were targeted by the Rapid Intervention Unit. CDD official Andre Mulungo stated, “People were peacefully demonstrating when the police arrived, chased them and fired live bullets.”
The recent unrest underscores profound socioeconomic grievances within the population, as expressed by a masked protestor who lamented, “We have no jobs, nothing… They want blood?” President Chapo, who assumed office in January, leads the ruling Frelimo party that has been in power since Mozambique’s independence in 1975.
The violent incident in Maputo highlights escalating tensions between the Mozambican government and opposition forces, exacerbated by accusations of election malpractice. The deaths of two protestors during a demonstration organized by Venancio Mondlane reflect the urgent call for change and the dire socio-economic challenges facing citizens. As the Frelimo party retains power, public discontent threatens to intensify, demanding urgent attention from international observers and human rights advocates.
Original Source: www.victoriaadvocate.com
