Clashes between anti-government protesters and police in Mozambique turned deadly on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and leaving three others severely injured.
The violence erupted in several locations, including Maputo city as well as Zambezia and Nampula provinces, as tensions escalated following disputed elections held two months ago.
General Command of the Mozambican police spokesperson Orlando Mudumane said that those killed were armed with stones, knives and machetes.
He characterised the unrest as a deliberate attempt to disrupt public order.
“Once again, the country has been the stage of violent demonstrations, which have disturbed public order and security and the free movement of people and goods following the call for a new wave of demonstrations by Venancio Mondlane,” Mudumane told journalists in Maputo late Wednesday.
Non-governmental organisation, “Decide” Electoral Platform, however, claimed on Thursday that at least seven people were shot dead by the police during Wednesday’s demonstrations
Mondlane, a losing presidential candidate in the October 9 poll and believed to be now living in exile in Europe, has called for eight days of demonstrations from December 4 to 11 aimed at “restoring the truth about the elections.”
He claims to have won the elections but has not yet provided evidence to substantiate his claims.
Mudumane alleged that the protests were intended to provoke chaos and violence, revealing that some of the demonstrators were criminals who attempted to seize firearms from the police.
According to AIM news agency, the unrest has already caused significant disruption, including the invasion of 22 secondary schools where equipment was looted, as well as the burning of five police posts, a district court and a prison, resulting in about 100 inmates escaping.
