Mozambican police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who gathered early Monday morning in Maputo to protest the killing of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, a party agent for PODEMOS (Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique), in the wee hours of Saturday.
Dias, a lawyer and advisor for independent presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, had been drafting an appeal for Mondlane and PODEMOS to submit to the Constitutional Council, challenging the outcome of the October 9 general elections. The country is now awaiting the announcement of the results by the National Electoral Commission (CNE), expected on Wednesday, October 23. PODEMOS and its presidential candidate claim victory in the election, which electoral bodies have declared in favor of the ruling Frelimo party and its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo.
In the meantime, the police clashed with PODEMOS supporters, leaving around a dozen people injured. Videos circulating show riot units firing directly at protesters, with one baby being hospitalized after inhaling fumes from a tear gas canister that landed in its yard. Mondlane, whose house was surrounded by police in an attempt to prevent him from joining the demonstration, was eventually forced to cut short a press conference when police fired tear gas in his direction and that of nearby journalists.
Comment
During President Filipe Nyusi’s two terms in office, the police have regularly used force to quell peaceful protests, despite the constitutional right to protest. Authorities have persistently violated this right
On Saturday, a police spokesperson, Orlando Madumane, had warned that protests would be suppressed, and by Monday, riot units were deployed in full force. Observers were quick to suggest that the orders to disperse the protests likely came from the top, specifically from police General-Commander Bernardino Rafael, whose familial ties to Nyusi seem to grant him authority beyond other institutions. The police have been increasingly perceived as Nyusi’s personal militia.
The use of heavily armed riot units against what was intended to be a peaceful demonstration suggests that the regime fears public dissent. Nyusi may also be asserting his relevance as the party rallies around Chapo, who is expected to be sworn in as president in January.
Mondlane, however, claims a symbolic victory, noting that businesses across the country shut down in response to his calls for a general strike. The country, particularly the youth who support Mondlane, will be closely watching his next steps after Monday’s confrontation in the streets of Maputo.
@2025, Mozambique Insights. All Rights Reserved