At least 21 people have died amid violent unrest throughout Mozambique following the Supreme Court's controversial backing of the ruling party's claim to victory after the disputed October elections. The unrest has led to looting and protests primarily involving supporters of the opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, incited by the backdrop of the country's political tension.
On Tuesday, Mozambique's Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda revealed shocking figures about the violence, stating, "From the preliminary survey, in the last 24 hours, 236 acts of violence were recorded throughout the national territory resulting in 21 deaths." Among those killed were two police officers, adding to the total casualties since the unrest began, which local monitoring group, Decide Platform, estimates has surpassed 200 deaths
The violence erupted following the Constitutional Council's decision on December 23 to uphold the results of the October 9 elections, which saw Daniel Chapo of the long-ruling Frelimo party secure around 65% of the votes compared to Mondlane's 24%. The court stated the irregularities reported were not substantial enough to alter the election results, prompting Mondlane and his supporters to label the proceedings as fraudulent and unjust.
Protests have turned chaotic, with reports of at least 78 individuals arrested as skirmishes erupted between the police and demonstrators across the capital Maputo and surrounding regions. Incidents of rioting have led to schools and businesses shuttering their doors as citizens fear for their safety amid increasing lawlessness. Ronda emphasized, "The armed and defense forces will increase their presence at key points," signifying governmental concern over civil unrest.
Chapo's main rival, Mondlane, has not been deterred by the violence. He took to social media to declare, "History is made of thorny, rocky moments, but the truth is victory is guaranteed for all of us," seeking to foreground the grievances of his supporters. His call for protests against the ruling authorities underlines the continuing strain on Mozambique's democracy.
This unrest stems from deep-seated dissatisfaction with the Frelimo party, which has dominated Mozambique's political scene for almost 50 years. The opposition claims consistent electoral fraud, including accusations of ballot stuffing and voter intimidation tactics. Reports of gunfire from security forces dispersing groups of protesting youths have surged, particularly as more young people join the demonstrations.
Neighborhoods saw destructive looting, with protesters setting fire to police vehicles and other public infrastructure. Onlookers and journalists reported scenes reminiscent of civil disorder, with streets cloaked in black smoke and incendiary wreckage—"The situation is slipping... covered in blood. The state is absent," stated the Center for Democracy and Human Rights, conveying their despair over the current governmental response.
Violence erupted continuously following the court's decision. A significant number of police subunits and facilities were attacked. Ronda reported, “25 vehicles were set on fire,” including various law enforcement vehicles, indicating the scale of public outrage.
Heavy ripples of concern surround Mozambique's future as its economy, already fragile, reels from the disruption. The unrest threatens significant investment projects, including the planned $20 billion natural gas export operations led by TotalEnergies SE, which faces delays due to the instability.
International reactions to the unrest highlight growing worries over Mozambique's governance. The US State Department characterized the electoral process as "flawed," and the European Union echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the irregularities during the voting and counting phases. The global community watches closely as the prospect of dialogue between opposing factions becomes increasingly narrow.
South Africa called for urgent dialogue among conflicting parties, illustrating the broader regional concern about stability and governance within Mozambique. Despite this, Chapo has signalled no intent for immediate negotiation, stating he will focus on taking office after mid-January.
Initially sparked by the court's affirmation, the unrest showcases the raw sentiments among populations feeling marginalized and betrayed by governmental systems. With rising tensions and violence threatening to spiral out of control, the world awaits the next chapter of Mozambique’s enduring struggle for political equity and stability.
