The United States, Britain, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland have issued a joint condemnation of escalating violence against civilians in Mozambique, a southern African nation facing unrest following disputed election results.
Protests and Tragedy in Maputo In the capital city of Maputo, a woman was injured when a military vehicle struck her during ongoing protests. Videos shared widely on social media showed the armored vehicle speeding into a wooden barricade attended by demonstrators before hitting the woman. According to the emergency department director at Maputo Central Hospital, she sustained head injuries but is not in critical condition.
Mozambique’s armed forces acknowledged the incident, describing it as an accident. They pledged to cover the woman's medical expenses and stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted to prevent similar occurrences in the future. “The armed forces deeply regret what happened,” their statement read.
Rising Tensions and Fatal Clashes The unrest, which began after elections in October, has intensified in multiple regions. On Wednesday, police in the northern city of Nampula fatally shot two protesters after a confrontation escalated when demonstrators barricaded roads and set fires. Reports from local activists highlight the growing tensions between security forces and opposition supporters.
Contested Election Results The protests stem from the controversial victory of the ruling Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since its independence in 1975. Official results declared Daniel Chapo, Frelimo's presidential candidate, the winner with 70.7% of the vote. Opposition parties claim the election was marred by fraud and have called for a re-evaluation of the results.
The Frelimo party's continued rule extends its nearly 50-year governance, with Chapo set to succeed Filipe Nyusi as the nation’s fifth president since independence.
Calls for Accountability International embassies have urged Mozambique’s government to ensure the safety of its citizens and investigate incidents involving security forces. In a joint statement, the five countries emphasized the responsibility of the armed forces to protect the public and maintain peace.
Local monitoring groups estimate that at least 67 people have died during the protests between mid-October and mid-November, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The international community has stressed the importance of dialogue and accountability to resolve the crisis peacefully and address concerns over electoral transparency.
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