Mozambican police fired tear gas on Thursday to disperse thousands of protesters in Maputo in the largest demonstration to date against the ruling Frelimo party, which declared victory in last month’s disputed election. Tensions have soared since Frelimo, in power for 49 years, was announced as the winner of the October 9 vote, a result many citizens claim was marred by fraud.
According to human rights groups, at least 18 people have died in police crackdowns since the protests began. Independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, a favored choice among young voters, has condemned the election as rigged and rallied supporters to take to the streets.
Demonstrators chanted “Power to the people” and “Frelimo must fall” while setting up barricades with burning tires and carrying signs in support of Mondlane. “If we don’t act now, nothing will change,” said 55-year-old Julia Macamo, a street vendor and mother of six who inhaled tear gas during the protest. “It’s time to end Frelimo’s hold on power.”
The scale of the demonstrations is unprecedented, according to Adriano Nuvunga, director of Mozambique’s Centre for Democracy and Human Rights. Civil society groups and international observers have called the election process unfair and said the results were manipulated. Frelimo has previously denied allegations of vote-rigging and has not commented on the current unrest.
President Filipe Nyusi has stayed silent amid the escalating protests, while his defense minister has warned of deploying the military and cautioned against attempts to “seize power.”
Mozambique’s Constitutional Council has not yet certified the election results, a process that could take up to two months. On Tuesday, the Council instructed the electoral commission to address discrepancies in vote counts for presidential, legislative, and provincial elections within 72 hours.
Frustration is growing in Mozambique, a country rich in natural resources but where many citizens feel left behind. Development of gas projects by TotalEnergies and Exxon Mobil in the north has stalled due to an Islamist insurgency, further fueling economic grievances among young Mozambicans.
