Why the Election in Mozambique has Provoked weeks of Demonstrations and a Brutal Police Crackdown

A poll last month that will put the ruling party in power for over 50 years amid accusations of cheating triggered the protests.

Since police have used lethal force to quell phony and expanding protests in the capital, Maputo, and other places, opposition parties and a large number of residents have rejected the results of the presidential election held on October 9. The largest demonstration to far took place on Thursday.

Since the disturbance started about a month ago, police have killed at least 20 individuals, according to international rights groups, while local groups claim that more than 50 people have died. As protesters destroy the headquarters of the ruling party and set fire to the streets, authorities are threatening to send in the army.

Even before the results were announced, opposition parties claimed fraud, accusing the ruling party, Frelimo, of ballot stuffing, manipulating voter lists, and staffing polling stations with officials loyal to it. Frelimo has long been accused of rigging elections in the country of around 34 million. The European Union’s observer team said there were irregularities in the election, including the altering of some results. Mozambican media has reported that the Constitutional Council.