Black Christmas In Mozambique, As Post-Election Violence Claims Over 120 Lives-Report
Maputo (Core Reporters) As the world was celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on Wednesday, December 25, it was not same in Mozambique as post election protests was reportedly claimed over 121 lives following the announcement of election results.
A civil society organisation, Plataforma Decide, had reported the death toll late on Wednesday, up from 56 earlier in the day, along with 380 injured.
The CSO reported thatt at least 121 people have died in protests since Monday.
The unrest erupted after the Constitutional Council confirmed Daniel Chapo of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) as the winner of the presidential election with 65 percent of the vote.
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who reportedly secured 24 per cent of the votes, rejected the results, stating, “It was manipulated.”
In a Facebook speech, Mondlane announced he would declare himself president on 15 January.
Protests have paralysed cities like Maputo, Beira, and Nampula. Looting, arson, and attacks on police stations, FRELIMO party offices, and prisons have escalated tensions.
Police reported that 1,534 inmates escaped from Maputo’s Matola prison, with 33 killed during clashes.
The government has deployed military and police forces to control the unrest. Mondlane, speaking from abroad, urged his supporters to protest peacefully.
Meanwhile, South Africa has offered mediation, calling for political dialogue in the conflict-torn country.
