Gunmen in Mozambique have killed a lawyer and an official from the opposition Podemos party ahead of planned protests regarding a disputed election result. The victims, Elvino Dias, the party’s lawyer, and Paulo Guambe, a party representative, were shot late Friday night in the capital, Maputo, after being pursued in their car by the attackers, according to the party’s statement on Saturday.
Videos circulating on social media depicted a BMW SUV with multiple bullet holes, with images of two men appearing lifeless in the front seats, one showing visible blood.
These killings occurred amidst heightened tensions in Mozambique as the nation awaited the outcome of the October 9 election, which has been marred by allegations of vote rigging and repression against dissent aimed at the long-ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) party. Podemos has denounced the provisional results that indicate a Frelimo victory and has called for a nationwide strike on Monday. Although Venancio Mondlane ran for president as an independent, he was backed by Podemos.
Podemos described the murders as “brutal” and indicative of the broader lack of justice faced by citizens. Adriano Nuvunga, director of Mozambique’s Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD), stated in a phone interview that the victims were shot approximately 10 to 15 times, resulting in their immediate deaths.
Human Rights Watch also confirmed the attack. Preliminary election tallies show Frelimo leading in all 11 provinces, with their candidate, Daniel Chapo, anticipated to succeed President Filipe Nyusi, who is completing his maximum two terms.
Opposition parties, including Podemos, have accused Frelimo of electoral fraud, and Western observers have expressed skepticism regarding the integrity of the elections, citing incidents of vote-buying, intimidation, and inflated voter rolls in areas controlled by Frelimo.
Mozambique has faced ongoing issues related to electoral integrity since Frelimo established democracy in 1994 after two decades of rule. The final results of the election are expected on October 24, but there are concerns that Monday’s protests could turn violent, especially given that security forces have previously opened fire on political demonstrators after local elections last year. Nuvunga referred to the killing of Dias as a “political assassination” in a social media post.Sure! Here’s the paraphrased text without any media house names:
Podemos party leaders have expressed their outrage, asserting that these murders are a blatant attempt to intimidate opposition voices and stifle dissent in Mozambique. They have called for justice and accountability for the perpetrators, emphasizing that such acts of violence threaten the democratic process in the country.
As protests loom, the atmosphere in Maputo remains charged. Citizens and opposition groups are planning to gather to voice their discontent with the electoral process and demand transparency. Fears of violence during the protests are high, given the historical context of clashes between political demonstrators and security forces.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for peaceful protests and respect for human rights. Observers have noted that the tensions reflect deeper issues within Mozambique’s political landscape, where dissenting opinions are often met with hostility from the ruling party.
As the election results draw closer, the potential for unrest remains a significant concern. The upcoming days will be critical in determining whether Mozambique can navigate this political turmoil without further escalation.
the assassination of the Podemos officials underscores the perilous state of political affairs in Mozambique, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and fair representation in the face of government oppression.
