The death toll in Mozambique’s post-election riots has climbed to about 150, with at least 121 fatalities reported since Monday, according to civil society organization Plataforma Decide.
The unrest erupted after the Constitutional Council confirmed Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) the party that has held power for 49 years as the winner of the presidency with 65 percent of the vote. Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who reportedly garnered 24 percent of the votes, rejected the results, alleging widespread manipulation and fraud.
Opposition’s Role in Fueling Violence
Mondlane’s rejection of the election outcome has significantly contributed to the escalating tensions. The opposition leader, who has since fled the country, urged his supporters to stage protests against what he described as a “rigged vote.” Over the weekend, Mondlane warned of the potential for a “new popular uprising” if the election results were not overturned, further stoking unrest.
The riots have turned deadly, with reports of widespread clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Police Chief Bernardino Rafael disclosed that over 1,500 prisoners exploited the chaos to escape from prison. The clashes left 33 inmates dead and 15 injured, highlighting the growing instability triggered by the opposition’s calls for resistance.
Rising Political Violence
The opposition’s actions have stirred waters of violence, plunging Mozambique into a state of crisis. Mondlane’s inflammatory rhetoric on social media has mobilized his supporters, intensifying the riots. While he has fled the country, his messages continue to exacerbate tensions, pushing the nation closer to chaos.
