Mozambique Erupts in Violence Following an Election Court Verdict, Leaving 21 People Dead
Following the Constitutional Council’s decision to preserve the long-ruling Frelimo party’s victory in the October presidential election, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda reported late Tuesday that at least 21 people had been killed in violent rioting around Mozambique.
The court’s decision on Monday rejected claims of widespread fraud and affirmed Daniel Chapo, Frelimo’s candidate, as the victor with 65.17% of the vote. Supporters of the opposition, who believe the election was rigged, staged a wave of protests in response.
Nationwide protests have broken out, with protesters obstructing traffic, setting tires on fire, and engaging in combat with law enforcement. As rage flares, public cars and structures have been vandalized in a number of provinces.
At least 78 individuals have been arrested as a result of the violence, and as protests continue, the government has threatened to detain additional people. Asserting that security measures are being strengthened to restore order, Minister Ronda told the state station TVM, “The armed and defense forces will increase their presence in critical and key points.”
The opposition, headed by Venâncio Mondlane, has accused Frelimo of manipulating the election and rejected the court’s ruling. Voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and problems in vote counting, according to Mondlane’s party, tainted the election.
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