-Thousands of people in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, protested against the October 9 election results, following opposition leader Venancio Mondlane’s call to demonstrate, claiming he was the legitimate winner and that the results were falsified.
-Police dispersed protesters using tear gas, and a heavy security presence was in place across Maputo. The city largely shut down, with shops, banks, and schools closed in anticipation of unrest.
-At least 18 people have died in post-election violence, with some estimates as high as 24. A police officer was also killed over the weekend, and the Defense Minister warned of possible army intervention.
-Authorities restricted internet access across Mozambique, which Human Rights Watch criticized as an attempt to stifle peaceful protests. The UN has urged Mozambican police to avoid excessive force against demonstrators.
-The Southern African Development Community (SADC) plans an extraordinary summit to discuss Mozambique’s situation, and opposition leader Mondlane, now outside Africa, has advocated for a “government of national unity” as he awaits a ruling on his appeal for a ballot recount.
Peoplesmind
