The European Union Commission has expressed concern by the ongoing violence following elections in Mozambique, which has resulted in multiple fatalities.
According to the statement released by the commission recently, urging all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, avoid the use of excessive force, refrain from vandalism, and abstain from inflammatory rhetoric.
Relying on the findings and statements of its Electoral Observation Mission, the EU called on the Constitutional Council to uphold full transparency in the electoral process and ensure the integrity of the results.
Meanwhile report has it that Mozambican government has imposed a nationwide ban on protests following weeks of unrest linked to last month’s contested presidential election. The clashes have resulted in over 18 deaths and left dozens injured, according to Human Rights Watch, while the violence erupted after Frelimo, the ruling party since 1975, secured victory with over 71% of the vote.
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who came second with 20%, has gone into hiding, citing safety concerns after his lawyer and aide were killed while preparing to challenge the election results.
Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda labeled the demonstrations as “acts of terrorism” and urged citizens to cooperate with authorities to restore order. “These are no longer protests but acts of subversion that terrorize the public,” Ronda stated, accusing organizers of using “drugged” youth to destabilize the nation.
The protests, which began in the capital Maputo, escalated last week, prompting the deployment of soldiers.
The opposition has alleged electoral fraud, claims that the government denies. Outgoing President Filipe Nyusi, who is completing his constitutional two-term limit, has yet to comment on the ongoing crisis.
