from ARMANDO DOMINGOS in Maputo, Mozambique
Mozambique Bureau
MAPUTO, (CAJ News) – THERE are renewed calls on authorities in Mozambican to bring to book perpetrators of the post-election violence.
Most of the violations, including the death of more than 300 people, are blamed on security forces.
Amnesty International has made the call in a new report, tiled, “Protest under attack: Human rights violations during Mozambique’s post-2024 election crackdown.”
It documents security forces firing lethal weapons, tear gas and kinetic impact projectiles, commonly known as rubber bullets, at protesters and bystanders, including children.
Authorities also conducted mass arbitrary arrests and targeted journalists, including by intimidating them and confiscating their equipment, while internet access was restricted at key moments.
“The Mozambican security forces’ deadly crackdown was a shameful overreaction to post-election protests,” said Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
“If President Daniel Chapo’s new government wants to turn the page, it must ensure thorough and transparent investigations into all allegations of human rights violations committed during the crackdown, and hold suspected perpetrators accountable.”
Mozambique held national elections on October 9, 2024. Soon after, the opposition PODEMOS party and the candidate it backed, Venâncio Mondlane, alleged vote-rigging in favor of the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique and its candidate, Chapo.
On October 21, protests broke out and spread across the Southern African country, continuing through Chapo’s 15 January inauguration.
His party has signed a peace agreement with opposition parties but while protests have receded, the situation remains tense.
– CAJ News