Following disputed election results in Mozambique, police reportedly fired upon supporters of opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane during a peaceful rally in Nampula, injuring at least one individual and leading to arbitrary arrests. Amnesty International has condemned these actions, emphasizing the need for authorities to uphold the right to peaceful assembly. Protests have escalated as allegations of irregularities persist, prompting Mondlane to call for a nationwide strike.
In Mozambique, disturbing reports have emerged regarding police actions targeting peaceful political rallies following the recent national elections. In Nampula city, law enforcement officials allegedly fired upon supporters of opposition presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane during a welcoming rally, resulting in at least one injury. Furthermore, police made arbitrary arrests, including that of David Calisto Bandeira, a noted musician and supporter of the opposition PODEMOS party, who has been charged with inciting violence through his songs. Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farise, strongly condemned these actions, affirming that regardless of electoral outcomes, Mozambican authorities must uphold the right to peaceful assembly for all citizens. The violence resulted in protests from Mondlane’s supporters, who have been demonstrating since partial election results suggested that the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate was leading. Amid allegations of electoral irregularities, Mondlane has called for a nationwide strike scheduled for October 21, aiming to address these concerns and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The situation in Mozambique has intensified following the national elections, with significant unrest reported, particularly in opposition strongholds like Nampula city. The elections, held on October 9, 2023, have been marred by accusations of unfair practices, including irregularities during the campaigning and voting phases. Following the announcement of partial results that indicated a lead for the ruling Frelimo party, opposition groups have mobilized their supporters to protest against what they deem as unjust electoral processes.
In summary, the response from law enforcement during the political rallies in Mozambique has raised serious concerns about the respect for human rights and the integrity of the electoral process. Amnesty International has called upon the Mozambican police to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, regardless of the ongoing electoral disputes. The situation remains volatile as opposition leaders call for nationwide strikes to protest alleged electoral misconduct.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
