Escalating Violence in Mozambique Ahead of Election Protests

Mozambique’s opposition faced a deadly attack leading to the killings of two members as tensions rise over disputed election results. The Podemos party and its presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, have denounced preliminary results favoring the ruling Frelimo party and called for nationwide protests and a strike. Reports of electoral misconduct further complicate the political situation, raising fears of violent confrontations during upcoming demonstrations.

On Saturday, a tragic incident occurred in Mozambique wherein assailants fatally shot an opposition lawyer and a party official associated with the new Podemos party. The victims were targeted while traveling in a vehicle in the Bairro da Coop neighborhood of Maputo. This violent act has heightened tensions as protests are anticipated in response to disputed election results. Both the Podemos party and its presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, have strongly opposed preliminary results indicating a probable victory for the dominance of Frelimo, the ruling party for over fifty years. In light of these events, Podemos has called for a nationwide strike scheduled for Monday. The civil society election observation group, More Integrity, reported that Elvino Dias, an attorney for Podemos, and Paulo Guambe, a party representative, were brutally assassinated in a calculated attack that involved approximately 10 to 15 gunshots, leading to their immediate deaths. Adriano Nuvunga, the director of Mozambique’s Center for Democracy and Human Rights, emphasized the severity of the killings, labeling them cold-blooded murders. Human Rights Watch has corroborated the account of the attack. Current election tallies indicate that Frelimo, led by candidate Daniel Chapo, is victorious across all eleven provinces, raising concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process. Observers have reported significant irregularities, including vote-buying, voter intimidation, inconsistencies in voter registration rolls particularly in Frelimo strongholds, and a lack of transparency during the electoral count. Given the historical context, many remain anxious about the potential for violence during Monday’s planned protest, especially considering previous instances where security forces have opened fire on political demonstrators after local elections in the past year.

The political landscape in Mozambique has been tumultuous, characterized by ongoing struggles between the longstanding ruling Frelimo party and opposition groups vying for power. Since the introduction of democracy in 1994 after two decades of authoritarian rule, electoral integrity has frequently come under scrutiny. Recent elections have seen allegations of manipulation and violence, particularly aimed at suppressing opposition voices. The current crisis intensifies in light of a controversial election process that is perceived as potentially leading to escalated civil unrest.

In summary, the assassination of key opposition figures in Mozambique highlights the escalating tensions surrounding the upcoming protests against disputed election results. The long-standing dominance of the Frelimo party continues to draw scrutiny amidst serious allegations of electoral fraud and intimidation. Observers and rights groups caution that future protests could be met with severe responses, particularly reflecting on the historical context of violence against political dissenters in Mozambique.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com