Mozambicans have been protesting the alleged rigging of the presidential election held in October
Renewed demonstrations occurred in Mozambique on Friday, as supporters of the opposition expressed their discontent with the results of the presidential election held on October 9. They accused the long-dominant Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) of electoral fraud. Hundreds of individuals marched through the capital, Maputo, voicing slogans against Frelimo and demanding reforms in government policies.
The protests began in late October following the announcement of Frelimo’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, as the election winner. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane of the Podemos party, who finished in second place, alleged that Frelimo manipulated the election results and urged his supporters to protest against the unverified outcome, which is pending certification by the Constitutional Council.
The subsequent wave of protests resulted in violent confrontations with law enforcement, leading to approximately 50 fatalities and numerous injuries. Earlier this week, Mondlane called for a three-day mourning demonstration to honor those who lost their lives in previous protests, a move that some fear may incite additional violence.
Footages shared online by multiple sources indicated that Friday’s rally was predominantly peaceful, with demonstrators urging the government to uphold their civil rights and reconsider the election results.
The recent election has been declared a victory by the participants, who assert their awareness of their chosen candidate and the outcome. “We demand our rights,” some protesters shouted, insisting that Mondlane emerged victorious and that the government is fully aware of this fact.
“We seek transformation. We require food, education, and comprehensive change. A better future is essential,” another activist expressed. Demonstrators were observed dancing and marching through the streets, obstructing traffic while chanting slogans such as “This country belongs to us, save Mozambique!”
“We request assistance from legal authorities to review our circumstances. Every one of us cast our votes. If the votes are to be counted, it is our civil right,” another protester emphasized.
Recently, international observers noted “irregularities during the counting process and unjustified modifications” to the results. As reported by Reuters, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council has granted the electoral commission several days to investigate the discrepancies in the vote counts. The commission has yet to disclose the findings of its investigation.
In a nationwide address on Tuesday, outgoing President Felipe Nyusi extended an invitation to the four candidates who participated in the election, aiming to “identify solutions to the ongoing political deadlock.” Nyusi stated that the protests and violence following the election have “instigated chaos and fear throughout the nation.” Mondlane accepted the invitation in a video message on Friday, expressing his willingness to discuss the necessary steps to challenge the preliminary election results.
On Friday, Mozambique’s Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda prohibited all protests and urged the public to “cooperate with the authorities to prevent violence.” He characterized the demonstrations as “acts of terrorism” and asserted that the “government would not permit them to continue undermining the country.”
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