Mozambique medics hold protests ‘pleading’ end to post-election violence

By Jamal Jamal

LILONGWE, Malawi (AA) - Hundreds of medical professionals staged a protest march on Wednesday in Mozambique’s capital, “pleading” an end to violence that erupted following the Oct. 9 general elections.

Napoleao Viola, the president of the Mozambique Medical Association (MMA), said that at least 108 people have been shot and 16 killed in different parts of the country.

Viola said that some health services are breaking down because of a “heavy strain” on the country’s already “overburdened health facilities.”

He said in some health facilities in the country, some services “are no longer working, especially out-patient services and consultations.”

Services for children have also been affected, he added.

“Unfortunately, this is a situation affecting the delivery of our health services across the country. That’s why, we decided to stage this protest march. Enough is enough. We plead with security agents and politicians on both sides of the divide to come together and propose solutions to the current impasse,” Viola said.

The National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced that Daniel Chapo, the candidate for the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) party, won the polls with 70% of the vote.

Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who according to the commission came in second with 20.32%, has been calling for protests against the poll results, calling them “fraudulent.”