The recent post-election violence in Mozambique has deepened the existing crises facing southern Africa, including one of the worst droughts in recent memory. Following a disputed election on October 9, civil society in Mozambique accused police of killing 20 people and injuring hundreds during widespread demonstrations across the country.
The protests escalated after the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) declared Daniel Chapo as the winner of the presidential election amidst allegations of rigging. The situation worsened when two senior opposition figures, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, were killed in central Maputo on October 19, leading to more protests that security forces struggled to contain. Venancio Mondlane, an independent presidential candidate backed by the main opposition party and the runner-up in the polls, fled the country citing threats to his life.
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) leaders are now working to find solutions to the crisis, which is already impacting regional economies that rely on Mozambican ports for cargo movement. Sadc leaders are set to convene an extraordinary summit in Zimbabwe between November 16 and 20, with Mozambique topping the agenda.
Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, described the situation as a humanitarian crisis requiring intervention from the region and the international community. He highlighted the high number of casualties, injuries, and arbitrary detentions resulting from the violence in Mozambique.
The unrest in Mozambique is also affecting neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which heavily rely on Mozambican ports for fuel imports and exports. The region is already grappling with the effects of a severe drought, with millions of people in need of food aid until the next harvest in 2025.
Amnesty International and African Defenders have called on Sadc and the African Union to address the political crisis in Mozambique and ensure respect for human rights. The ongoing protests in Mozambique began as a demand for electoral justice but have evolved into a broader movement against corruption, inequality, and the exploitation of natural resources.
Calls are growing for the Mozambican government to lift internet restrictions imposed since the election announcement, with concerns raised about violations of human rights such as access to information and freedom of speech. The international community is urging Mozambican authorities to restore internet services and address the underlying issues fueling the protests.
Mozambique’s history of disputed elections and armed conflict underscores the need for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis. Regional leaders must work together to address the root causes of the unrest and ensure a stable and prosperous future for Mozambique and the wider southern African region.
