A member of Venâncio Mondlane’s entourage was injured when police opened fire on his caravan during a march in Maputo. The incident, marked by the use of tear gas and live ammunition, occurred as tensions rise in the country following disputed election results. The Mozambican government is set to sign a political agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis, but criticisms regarding political dialogue abound, particularly concerning Mondlane’s exclusion.
On a significant day in Maputo, a member of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane’s entourage was injured as police fired shots to disperse a crowd during a political march. This incident occurred around 1 PM in the Hulene neighborhood as Mondlane’s caravan was heading towards Praça dos Combatentes from Praça da Juventude. Reports indicate that police employed tear gas, explosives, and live bullets during the encounter, leading to panic among the caravan participants.
Abdul Nariz, a spokesperson for Mondlane, expressed the group’s shock, stating, “We were surprised when a heavily armed police group started shooting directly at the vehicle where Venâncio Mondlane was. They used tear gas, some explosives, real bullets and we had to flee because the situation was not pleasant.” Details regarding the injured member were not disclosed.
As tensions escalated, the Mozambican police deployed forces along major roads and avenues leading to the Joaquim Chissano Conference Center, where a political agreement concerning state reforms was set to be signed between the Mozambican President and various political parties. This agreement aims to address the ongoing post-electoral crisis following the contentious election in which Daniel Chapo was declared the victor.
The signing ceremony was scheduled to include representatives from parties such as the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), along with the extra-parliamentary New Democracy party. Despite President Chapo’s stated intentions to broaden political dialogue, the significant absence of Venâncio Mondlane, who received the second-highest electoral support, persisted as a point of contention among critics and analysts.
In a recent statement, President Chapo reinforced his commitment to maintaining peace and security, stating, “Just as we are fighting terrorism… even if it means shedding blood to defend this homeland against demonstrations, we will shed blood.” Meanwhile, Mozambique has been grappling with considerable social unrest since the October elections, with ongoing protests and strikes led by Mondlane’s supporters against the election results and rising living costs.
In summary, the recent violent incident involving Mozambican police and Venâncio Mondlane’s caravan highlights the rising tensions surrounding the country’s political climate. As the government prepares to sign a political agreement aimed at resolving the post-electoral crisis, the absence of Mondlane from vital negotiations continues to provoke criticism. Furthermore, ongoing demonstrations against election results and socioeconomic issues suggest a challenging path ahead for Mozambique in achieving stability and addressing public grievances.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
