KEY POINTS
- Two opposition figures were killed in a targeted attack, raising fears ahead of planned protests.
- Podemos has rejected election results showing a win for the ruling Frelimo party.
- International observers have raised concerns about election credibility.
Tensions have escalated ahead of planned rallies against disputed election results in Mozambique after gunmen killed a lawyer and a party official from the opposition Podemos party.
According to rights groups, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe were shot dead on Saturday while going through Maputo, the country’s capital.
Opposition raises concerns over election results
The preliminary results of Mozambique’s general election, which show a victory for the ruling Frelimo party and its candidate, Daniel Chapo, have been challenged by Podemos, which is led by presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane. Citing widespread discontent with the electoral process, Mondlane’s party called for a statewide strike on Monday.
Many people believe that the assault on Dias and Guambe was an intimidation strategy used to deter protests by the opposition.
The Center for Democracy and Development’s (CDD) director, Adriano Nuvunga, denounced the executions as “cold-blooded murder” and cautioned that it sends a dangerous message to demonstrators.
Rising tensions ahead of planned strike
Both Portugal, the former colonial power in Mozambique, and the European Union have denounced the attack and called on authorities to carry out a thorough investigation.
In the meantime, Daniel Chapo, the candidate for Frelimo, condemned the murders as a “affront to democracy.”
According to Reuters, the strike was characterized by political observers, such as Chatham House’s Alex Vines, as a significant escalation that might escalate tensions even more.
Many observers are worried that Monday’s protests could degenerate into violence because of Mozambique’s history of political violence, especially during election seasons, where security forces have previously opened fire on demonstrators.
International scrutiny on Mozambique’s elections
International observers have questioned the legitimacy of Mozambique’s election.
The process has been tainted by reports of vote buying, intimidation, and bloated voter rolls; many have pointed to long-standing worries about Frelimo’s hegemony over the nation’s political scene.
Although the full election results are anticipated to be revealed on October 24, many are concerned that if the opposition’s concerns are not taken into consideration, the unrest may get worse.
