Mozambique: post-election protests turn deadly

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[8]Violence broke out [9] in Mozambique's capital Maputo between security forces and demonstrators protesting the results of nationwide local elections. Confrontations were also reported in the cities of Nampula and Nacala. Police are accused of using [10] disproportionate force, including tear-gas and live bullets, and at least three people are reported [11] dead, including a 10-year old boy. Demonstrations were called by the opposition Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) after the National Elections Commission announced [12] that the ruling Liberation Front of Mozambique (FRELIMO) won in 64 of the country's 65 municipalities. RENAMO and other oppositions parties denounced the results, claiming there was fraud. RENAMO, a former guerilla army that reorganized as a political party after the end of the civil war in 1991, briefly returned to arms [13] following contested elections in 2016. (Image: Nicolas Raymond [14] via Flickr [15])

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Violence broke out [9] in Mozambique's capital Maputo on Oct. 28 between security forces and demonstrators protesting the results of nationwide local elections. Confrontations were also reported in the cities of Nampula and Nacala. Police are accused of using [10] disproportionate force, including tear-gas and live bullets, and at least three people have been reported [11] dead, including a 10-year old boy. There have also been reports of injuries [17] and detentions.

The demonstrations were organized by the opposition Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO), following municipal elections held Oct. 11. The National Elections Commission announced [12] that the ruling Liberation Front of Mozambique (FRELIMO) won in 64 of the country's 65 municipalities. The remaining local race was won by the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM). RENAMO and other oppositions parties denounced the results, claiming there was fraud.

The results were officially validated on Oct. 26 by the Constitutional Council, the highest judicial electoral authority. This was despite the invalidation of results in at least two constituencies by district courts, namely Cuamba and Chokwe. The district court in Matola has called for a recount [18], following a complaint by MDM. The US embassy in Mozambique acknowledged [19] that reports of irregularities during the vote and counting are credible. (Jurist [20])

This was the second outbreak of angry protests in Maputo this year. On March 14, security forces used tear-gas to disperse the massive funeral procession for a popular rapper, Edson da Luz AKA "Azagaia," who died unexpectedly at 39. He had been in trouble with the law before, accused of subversion for his lyrics critical of the government—and for cannabis. In 2011, there was an activist campaign to free him after he was arrested for possession of suruma [21]. (Jurist [22], Bantumen [23], Global Voices [24])

RENAMO, a former guerilla army that reorganized as a political party after the end of the civil war in 1991, briefly returned to arms [13] following contested elections in 2016.