Mozambican police opened fire on opposition supporters during a protest in Maputo, injuring one individual. The demonstration occurred ahead of President Daniel Chapo’s signing of an agreement related to funding disputes. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, excluded from negotiations, vows to continue protests against the government, alleging electoral misconduct by Chapo and the ruling party, Frelimo, which has denied such claims.
On Wednesday, Mozambican police shot at supporters of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane in Maputo, resulting in injuries to one individual within his entourage, as reported by the Portuguese news agency Lusa. This protest occurred shortly before President Daniel Chapo was scheduled to finalize an agreement with various political factions aimed at resolving ongoing demonstrations regarding his contentious election victory last year.
Mondlane, who secured second place in the presidential election, was notably absent from the discussions leading to the agreement, which intends to undertake a review of the nation’s electoral framework. Political analysts predict that his exclusion will likely diminish the agreement’s potential to foster stability in Mozambique, a nation rich in natural resources.
A police spokesperson acknowledged the dispersal of the protests in the capital, though they refrained from providing further details. Mondlane, when contacted, did not respond. During a live video on his Facebook page, he was observed in a vehicle surrounded by supporters, rejoicing before the broadcast was abruptly disrupted by the sound of gunfire, causing the crowd to flee.
Zenaida Machado from Human Rights Watch confirmed that at least ten individuals were injured by police actions that day. She criticized the shooting at a peaceful demonstration, asserting that such acts undermine efforts toward stabilization in Mozambique. According to the local monitoring group Plataforma Decide, over 350 fatalities have occurred since the protests commenced last October.
Mondlane reiterated to his followers that he plans to persist with anti-government demonstrations, denouncing the agreement initiated by Chapo and his allies as one that does not represent public interests. He accused Chapo and the ruling Frelimo party of manipulating the electoral process, a claim affirmed by Western observers who deemed the election neither free nor fair. Frelimo, which has been in power since Mozambique’s independence in 1975, categorically rejects allegations of electoral misconduct.
The incident in Maputo underscores the ongoing tensions between the Mozambican police and opposition supporters, particularly regarding the perceived lack of inclusivity in political agreements. With opposition leader Venancio Mondlane facing exclusion from critical discussions and accusing the government of electoral fraud, the path to political stability remains perilous. Continued civil unrest indicated by rising fatalities reflects deep-seated issues surrounding governance and representation in Mozambique.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
