Violence Erupts in Mozambique: Three Killed, 66 Injured in Protests Over Disputed Election
Mozambique’s top hospital announced Friday that at least three people were killed and 66 injured following violent clashes between police and protesters over a disputed election.
These deaths add to at least 18 fatalities reported from earlier protests since the October 9 election, which the opposition claims was manipulated. Some sources report higher numbers, with Mozambique’s Centre for Democracy and Human Rights documenting 34 total deaths.
Thursday’s demonstrations were the largest Mozambique has witnessed against Frelimo, the ruling party since 1975, which was declared the overwhelming winner in the recent election.
Civil society groups and international observers criticized the election as failing to meet democratic standards, prompting the Constitutional Council to request that the electoral commission clarify discrepancies in the results. Frelimo has not commented on these concerns.
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“Among the 66 injured, 57 likely sustained injuries from firearms, four from falls, three from physical assaults, and two from sharp weapons,” reported Dino Lopes, head of the adult emergency service at Maputo Central Hospital.
Most injured individuals were between 25 and 35 years old, with some as young as 15, he told reporters.
Thousands of people flooded the streets of Maputo on Thursday, chanting “Frelimo must fall,” setting up barricades with burning tires and hurling stones.
Reuters reporters witnessed police firing in the crowd’s direction, though they did not appear to directly target protesters.
Human rights groups have previously accused Mozambican police of using live ammunition on political protesters.
The interior minister defended the recent police actions, claiming the force was necessary to reestablish public order.
Violence Erupts in Mozambique: Three Killed, 66 Injured in Protests Over Disputed Election
