Tensions Escalate in Mozambique as Police Fire Tear Gas at Opposition Politician Amid Post-Election Crisis

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In a sign of growing unrest in Mozambique, police forces fired tear gas at opposition leader Venancio Mondlane and his supporters during a press interview in the capital, Maputo. This comes amidst a surge of post-election tensions following disputed results and the assassination of two prominent opposition figures.

The incident occurred on Monday as Mondlane, a key challenger in the October 9th presidential election, was addressing journalists near the site where his lawyer and a senior official of the opposition were fatally shot in a vehicle by unidentified gunmen. The tear gas attack forced Mondlane, reporters, and nearby supporters to flee the scene, with one journalist reportedly injured in the chaos, according to local media.

Mondlane had earlier called for a nationwide shutdown in protest against what he and opposition groups have termed fraudulent elections. Demonstrators had planned to assemble at the location of the killings to express their outrage. Police also used tear gas to disperse protesters in other parts of Maputo and the neighboring Gaza province. Six individuals were arrested, according to police spokesperson Orlando Mudumane. Many areas of the city remained eerily quiet, as people either stayed home in support of the shutdown or to avoid potential violence.

The recent election appears set to extend the long rule of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) party, which has governed since the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975. Preliminary results indicate a significant lead for Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo, while Mondlane, though running as an independent, has the backing of the emerging opposition party, Podesa.Tensions Escalate in Mozambique as Police Fire Tear Gas at Opposition Politician Amid Post-Election Crisis

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The political climate has become increasingly charged following the brazen killings of Mondlane’s lawyer, Elvino Dias, and a senior party spokesperson. Both men were gunned down in what is widely viewed as a politically motivated attack. The assassinations have sent shockwaves through Mozambique, with many speculating that the violence is intended to suppress challenges to the election results. Dias was notably involved in preparing a legal challenge to the election, heightening suspicions of foul play.

The international community has expressed deep concern over the violence. The European Union, which had observers monitoring the election, has called for a full investigation into the murders, demanding that those responsible be brought to justice. United Nations Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres also condemned the killings, emphasizing the need for peace and accountability during this critical period.

Frelimo has faced accusations of election rigging over the years, accusations it routinely denies. However, the party’s security forces have been criticized for their harsh crackdowns on peaceful protests, often resorting to violent means to disperse demonstrators. The use of tear gas against Mondlane and his supporters only adds to concerns about the state’s heavy-handed approach to dissent.

Mondlane, despite attempts by authorities to confine him to his home, managed to evade police surveillance and join the protests on Monday. He described the intense pressure from security forces, stating, “The whole of last night, police cars were at my doorstep. I was trying to find other ways to leave the house without being noticed. I did. I won’t say how.”

As the final election results are expected within days, Mozambique remains on edge. Should Frelimo’s candidate, Chapo, be declared the winner, he will succeed current President Filipe Nyusi, who is stepping down after two terms. But with the shadow of violence, political killings, and allegations of election fraud hanging over the nation, many worry that the road ahead could be marked by even greater unrest.

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