21 dead as violence erupts in Mozambique following election tribunal ruling

The violence that gripped Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed the ruling party’s presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed October 9 elections has left at least 21 people dead, including two police officers

MAPUTO, Mozambique – The violence that gripped Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed the ruling Frelimo party’s presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed October 9 elections left at least 21 people dead, including two police officers, authorities said on Tuesday .

Mozambican Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda said at a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that the court’s announcement a day earlier had triggered a wave of violence and looting. He said the party was led overwhelmingly by young supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, followed by Chapo, who received 65%.

“According to the preliminary survey, 236 acts of violence were recorded throughout the national territory in the last 24 hours, resulting in 21 deaths, of which two members of the Mozambique Republic Police also died,” Ronda said. He said 13 civilians and 12 police officers were injured.

Ronda said 25 vehicles were set on fire, including two police vehicles. He added that 11 police subunits and a prison were attacked and destroyed and 86 inmates were released.

Tensions in the country were high ahead of the Constitutional Council’s decision on Monday, with violent protests erupting immediately after the announcement.

Footage circulated on various social media platforms showing protesters burning and looting shops in the capital Maputo and the city of Beira, where some city officials were reported to have fled the city.

Mondlane has called for a “shutdown” from Friday, but violence in the country has already escalated and the situation in the capital remained tense on Tuesday evening after a day of violence and looting by protesters.

There has been tension in the country of 34 million people since the parliamentary elections on October 9th. Mondlane’s supporters, mostly hundreds of thousands of young people, have since taken to the streets and been fired upon by security forces.

This brings the number of people who have died in post-election violence since the country’s electoral body announced its first election results to over 150.