Violence Erupts in Mozambique Following Election Ruling, 21 Dead

Following the court’s ruling confirming Daniel Chapo as president, Mozambique has experienced violent protests leading to 21 deaths, including two police officers. The unrest mainly involves young supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, resulting in hundreds of violent incidents nationwide. Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda has urged for calm amidst the chaos.

Violence has erupted across Mozambique following a controversial ruling by the country’s highest court confirming Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party as the victor of the disputed presidential elections held on October 9. The unrest, which began in response to the court’s announcement, has led to at least 21 fatalities, including two police officers. Reports indicate that the violence was primarily instigated by young supporters of the opposing candidate, Venancio Mondlane, who garnered only 24 percent of the vote.

At a press conference, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda detailed the severity of the situation, stating that within the last 24 hours, there had been 236 recorded violent incidents nationwide, resulting in significant casualties. In addition to the deaths, 13 civilians and 12 police officers sustained injuries amidst the turmoil. The authorities have expressed alarm over the scale of violence that followed the court ruling, prompting a call for calm from various sectors of society.

In recent months, Mozambique has faced political tensions as the nation prepared for its presidential elections. The disputed nature of the recent elections has cast a shadow over the democratic proceedings, with allegations of irregularities. The Frelimo party has been in power for decades, and its continued dominance has been met with increasing opposition. The ruling on the election outcome by the highest court has intensified existing grievances among opposition supporters, leading to widespread unrest.

The situation in Mozambique remains critical as the authorities grapple with the aftermath of the violent protests following the court’s confirmation of Chapo’s election. With multiple injuries and loss of life reported, there are urgent calls for peace and dialogue. The unrest highlights the deep political divisions in the nation and raises concerns about the stability of Mozambique’s democratic institutions going forward.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com