At least a dozen individuals sustained injuries following a violent crackdown by Mozambican police on a protest organized by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who was the runner-up in last year’s contentious presidential election, according to Mondlane’s team and a civil society organization.
Witnesses and aides to Mondlane reported that police opened fire with live ammunition on the convoy of the opposition leader and the anti-government demonstrators who had gathered in the capital, Maputo, on Wednesday.
There has been no comment from the police or government officials regarding the incident.
The protests coincided with President Daniel Chapo’s scheduled signing of an agreement after discussions with other political factions aimed at resolving the ongoing unrest stemming from the disputed election.
Mondlane, who has been advocating for the protests, was notably absent from the negotiations leading up to the signing event.
A statement from Mondlane’s office indicated that he was leading a march on Wednesday afternoon when his convoy was attacked.
“A unit of the UIR [rapid intervention police] collided with Venâncio Mondlane’s convoy and unleashed a barrage of gunfire, employing live rounds and tear gas,” the statement detailed.
In response to the events, Interior Minister Paulo Chachine informed the media that the police were tasked with ensuring the deal-signing ceremony proceeded without disruption, denying any intent to harm Mondlane.
Mondlane’s team reported that two children from a nearby school had died as a result of the gunfire. They also stated that 16 individuals were injured, including their cameraman, with several others suffering severe effects from tear gas exposure.
In their statement, they expressed concern over Mondlane’s condition, noting that his whereabouts were currently unknown and raising alarm among his entire team.
A video circulating on social media captures the moment gunfire erupted as a procession neared what appears to be an armored vehicle on the streets. In response, individuals fled for safety, causing the crowd to disperse while the shooting persisted.
Additional images depicting injured individuals from the incident have also surfaced online.
A protester who witnessed the event recounted to the AFP news agency that police began firing, describing the situation as resembling an “ambush scenario.” He emphasized that it was merely a march.
Portugal, Mozambique’s former colonial ruler, has denounced “the unacceptable attack on Venâncio Mondlane’s convoy” and urged for “restraint from violence and respect for fundamental rights.”
In a statement on X, the Portuguese foreign affairs ministry extended condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
Since President Chapo assumed office in January, he has pledged to initiate a comprehensive political dialogue involving various societal sectors to resolve the ongoing post-election crisis.
However, some analysts have criticized him for not including Mondlane in these discussions. On Wednesday, Mondlane expressed his disapproval of the political agreement, labeling it “an agreement of people without the people.” He asserted that protests would persist.
“If they fail to meet the people’s demands, they will not govern Mozambique,” he stated.
According to civil society organizations, nearly 400 individuals have lost their lives in violence associated with the protests since October.
