Mozambique post-election death toll climbs to 27

By Jamal Jamal

LILONGWE, Malawi (AA) – The death toll in Mozambique's post-election violence has risen to 27 after three more demonstrators were killed Thursday in the capital, Maputo, hospital officials confirmed on Friday.

Since the National Election Commission (CNE) announced the official results on Oct. 24, declaring ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) candidate Daniel Chapo the winner with 70% of the vote and opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane receiving 20%, violent protests have erupted in major cities and towns across the country.

Mondlane has called for a weeklong general strike from Oct. 31 to Nov. 7, disputing the election results. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Maputo and other parts of the country on Thursday in response to his call for mass protests.

Police responded by deploying armored vehicles and using tear gas to disperse the crowds, with three demonstrators reportedly shot and later pronounced dead at a referral hospital, according to hospital officials.

Earlier, human rights organizations reported that the post-election violence has so far claimed 24 lives. On Oct. 19, opposition leaders Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe were killed in Maputo.

On Thursday, Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International for East and Southern described the situation in the southern African nation “outrageous, concerning and regrettable.”

In a Facebook message on Thursday, Mondlane threatened that demonstrations would continue until “authorities accept the truth about the elections.”

The government has repeatedly shut down internet services and blocked social media sites in response to the unrest.

On Wednesday, members of the media staged a protest march, calling on politicians from all sides to end the post-election violence.