Soldiers deployed as Mozambicans protest the Frelimo party, which has held on to power for nearly half a century.
Published On 8 Nov 2024
At least 30 people have been killed in Mozambique in close to three weeks of crackdowns on protests that erupted in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
“At least 30 people were killed between October 19 and November 6 inclusive across the country,” the New York-based rights organisation told the AFP news agency.
The toll did not include violence on Thursday when police and soldiers dispersed thousands of demonstrators in the capital, Maputo.
Mozambique’s Centre for Democracy and Human Rights has reported 34 deaths overall.
On October 24, the ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power since the Southern African nation’s independence from Portugal 49 years ago, was declared victorious in the election with more than 70 percent of the votes.
Opposition groups and observers argued that the October 9 elections were unfair and rigged, leading to thousands participating in demonstrations that saw a violent crackdown by the authorities.
The Mozambique government’s arbitrary restrictions on internet access violate human rights and should be lifted immediately.
The restrictions follow a violent crackdown on opposition supporters who peacefully marched to protest general election results.
https://t.co/Eg6E9vpSNR pic.twitter.com/1Qrr9JLTYg— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) November 7, 2024
Mozambique’s largest hospital said on Friday that at least three people were killed and 66 injured during clashes between police and protesters the previous day.
“Of the 66 injured, 57 were possibly caused by firearms, four were caused by falls, three were injured by physical aggression and two were