PREVIEW
Civil society groups have reported around 40 deaths at the hands of security forces in post-election riots, which have caused major economic damage
Protests are at a crucial moment. If mass demonstrations and economic gridlock continue, opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane and his supporters will maintain hope that the governing Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (Frelimo) will be forced into a power-sharing government or peaceful transition. (AC Vol 65 No 22, All roads lead to Maputo)
At least five people died and 120 were injured when a crowd tried to advance towards the center of Maputo during a major demonstration on 7 November, according to the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights in Maputo, which said protesters faced an ‘insurmountable barrier’ of trucks and soldiers.
A mass demonstration in the capital had been intended by Mondlane’s supporters to mark the culmination of weeks of protests following October’s disputed presidential elections, which declared Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo as the winner with around 70%, though Mondlane’s own vote tallies suggest he won (AC Vol 65 No 21, Mondlane’s vote surge overturns the status quo). Mondlane had predicted a turnout of five million on the streets.
Civil society groups have reported around 40 deaths at the hands of security forces in post-election protests. The demonstrations have caused major economic damage. Mozambique’s dollar bonds have seen major sell-offs while protests forced the closure of the main border with South Africa, and a two-day suspension of operations at Maputo port.
Mondlane’s Partido Otimista pelo Desinvolvimento de Moçambique (Podemos) has filed an appeal against the election outcome with the Constitutional Council, which has yet to verify the results. They continue to demand the publication of results from all 27,000 polling stations.
Mondlane has alleged that hundreds of Rwandan troops have been moved, with funding from the European Union, from Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique to Maputo in recent days to quell opposition demonstrations. The claims have been flatly denied by both Kigali and the EU who say that Rwandan forces are not in Maputo. Rwanda also denied reports that it had been forced to close its embassy in Maputo for several days.
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