Social media down in Mozambique amid protests over disputed poll results

By Jamal Jamal

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AA) - Social media has been down in Mozambique following calls from opposition leaders for a nationwide strike on Thursday over disputed results of the Oct. 9 general elections, according to the global internet watchdog NetBlocks on Thursday.

The London-based watchdog said there has been no access to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram in the country since early Thursday.

“We can confirm that social media restrictions have been imposed in Mozambique amid calls for a nationwide strike. People are unable to access social media,” said NetBlocks.

Last Friday, a temporary internet blackout was imposed a day after election results were announced by the electoral commission and protests were violently suppressed.

NetBloacks said at the time, there was a “near-total disruption to mobile internet connectivity” in the southeastern African nation.

About 17 million registered voters went to polls on Oct. 9 to elect the new president, members of parliament, and provincial governors.

On Oct. 24, Frelimo candidate, 47-year-old Daniel Chapo, was declared the winner with 71% of the votes, while Venancio Mondlane got 20%. Since then, he has been calling for demonstrations disputing the results. Thursday was the beginning of a weeklong strike across the country.

Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that at least 11 people have been killed during the post-election violence, while more than 50 injured in various parts of the country on Oct. 24-25.

Police sent messages on Wednesday evening, before the planned Thursday protests instructing residents not to participate in any acts of “sabotage.”