Venancio Mondlane, the runner-up in Mozambique’s presidential elections rejected the results of the October 9 election, claiming he was unfairly treated. This has led to ongoing protests that have been met with harsh police action.
On Wednesday, demonstrators threw stones at police who responded with tear gas and live bullets. The situation turned violent after a woman was hit while standing behind a large banner supporting Mondlane.
A video that circulated on social media showed an armored police vehicle driving over her. Other clips showed her being helped into another vehicle, seemingly alive but in serious condition.
“I saw it with my own eyes; her arm is broken, and her leg is broken,” a witness told reporters. “We don’t know if she’ll survive.”
In another part of the city, protesters marched to Fighter’s Square, a central area for poorer neighborhoods, shouting slogans like “Frelimo out,” targeting the ruling party that has been in power since 1975.
“I feel sorry for what happened to that woman,” said Joaquim Fernando, one of about 100 protesters. “I do not support such violence. Everyone has the right to protest,” the 26-year-old added.
“We demand that Venancio Mondlane be our president because that is who we voted for,” said another protester, Olavio Jose, who is 24.
Human rights groups have accused the police of killing many people during the protests. The government claims that Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo received 71 percent of the votes, while Mondlane got only 20 percent.
The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights reported that at least 65 people have died due to police actions against protesters. Human Rights Watch stated that security forces have killed at least 10 children and injured many others.
President Filipe Nyusi, who will leave office in January, said in a recent address that 19 people have died, including five police officers.
Protests also broke out at Mozambique’s main border post with South Africa, disrupting the movement of trucks. This border crossing, important for trade, has been closed several times recently due to protests.
-France24
