Not less than 30 killed in Mozambique since begin of election violence: HRW

Members of the Mozambique navy patrol the streets of the capital a day after a “nationwide shutdown” towards the election end result, in Maputo, Mozambique, November 8, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters

Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated Friday (November 8, 2024) that a minimum of 30 individuals have been killed in Mozambique in nearly three weeks of crackdowns on protests over a disputed Presidential election.

“Not less than 30 individuals had been killed between October 19 and November 6 inclusive throughout the nation,” HRW informed AFP.

The toll didn’t embrace violence recorded on November 7 when police and troopers dispersed hundreds of demonstrators within the capital Maputo.

The southern African nation has been rocked by violence for the reason that Frelimo get together, which has been in energy for nearly 50 years, received an October 9 election with greater than 70% of votes.

President Filipe Nyusi is anticipated to step down early subsequent yr on the finish of his two-term restrict, handing over to Daniel Chapo.

Main Opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, backed by the Podemos get together, got here second within the presidential race, with 20% of the vote however stated the outcomes had been “false”.

Utilizing social media, Mr. Mondlane has rallied his supporters out onto the streets to reveal towards the outcomes, resulting in clashes with police and troopers.

On Thursday, within the largest demonstration but, a number of thousand individuals marched in Maputo, some throwing rocks and establishing barricades earlier than being dispersed by safety officers.

Town’s largest hospital, Maputo Central Hospital, stated Friday it had registered three deaths because of that protest alone.

“It additionally handled 66 individuals for accidents, 4 of whom had been in a severe situation,” spokesperson Dino Lopes informed reporters.

An area NGO, the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD), stated it had recorded 34 individuals killed as of November 7.

“What started as a name for electoral justice has remodeled right into a brutal show of state repression,” CDD stated.

The safety forces didn’t instantly affirm a dying toll however had been because of tackle reporters later Friday.