Mozambican police fired on a protest led by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, resulting in injuries and unrest amidst ongoing political tensions. Eyewitnesses reported police using live ammunition during a protest in Maputo, coinciding with a political agreement being signed by President Chapo. Mondlane has condemned the violence and pledged to continue protests for public representation.
In Mozambique, at least a dozen individuals were injured when police violently interrupted a protest led by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who previously ranked second in the recent presidential election. Eyewitness accounts and Mondlane’s aides reported that the police fired live ammunition at the convoy and the demonstrators supporting him in the capital, Maputo, on Wednesday. The authorities have yet to issue any statements regarding the incident.
The protest coincided with a scheduled signing of a political agreement by President Daniel Chapo, who assumed office in January, aimed at resolving the unrest following the contentious presidential election. Mondlane, who has been orchestrating the protests, was notably excluded from the discussions leading up to the ceremony.
Mondlane’s office indicated that he was leading a procession when police intervened forcefully. It confirmed that a rapid intervention police unit, known as UIR, engaged his convoy with gunfire and tear gas. Interior Minister Paulo Chachine later informed the press that the police were tasked with maintaining order during the ceremony and dismissed suggestions of an assassination attempt on Mondlane.
According to the local civil society organization, Plataforma Decide, sixteen protesters sustained injuries; however, the BBC has not verified these figures. Mondlane’s team claimed that two children also lost their lives due to the gunfire. The condition and whereabouts of Mondlane himself have raised concerns among his supporters.
A video circulating online captures the outbreak of gunfire as Mondlane’s procession neared what appeared to be an armored police vehicle. Witness accounts describe a chaotic scene where individuals fled in panic. A protester, Silvestre Alexandre, conveyed to AFP that the police action felt like an ambush, emphasizing that they were merely marching.
In response to the violence, the Portuguese government condemned the attack on Mondlane and urged for restraint and respect for human rights. Since President Chapo’s inauguration, he has pledged to foster political dialogue to address the ongoing crisis; however, critics have pointed out Mondlane’s exclusion from these conversations.
Despite the political deal reached, Mondlane rebuked it as unreflective of the public’s needs, stating that protests would persist until the government truly represents the citizens’ desires. Reports indicate that nearly 400 individuals have died in protest-related violence since October, according to civil society sources.
The recent violent incident involving police and opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane has raised significant concerns regarding human rights and political dialogue in Mozambique. With ongoing protests and casualties, including reported fatalities among children, the situation underscores the urgent need for genuine political engagement and accountability from the authorities. As unrest continues, Mondlane’s commitment to advocating for the people’s rights remains steadfast despite efforts to suppress dissent.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
