Mozambique: Stop shooting at peaceful political rallies as election results are disputed

Responding to reports that police in the Mozambican city of Nampula shot and arrested supporters of opposition presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane at a rally following disputed national elections, Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa, said:

“Regardless of who wins the election, the Mozambican police must respect people’s right to peaceful assembly. The firing of live bullets at a peaceful political rally and the arbitrary detention of opposition supporters constitute a gross violation of both Mozambican and international human rights law.

The firing of live bullets at a peaceful political rally and the arbitrary detention of opposition supporters constitute a gross violation of both Mozambican and international human rights law.

Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa

“If people of all political views continue to hold peaceful rallies during and after the vote count, the police must fulfill their obligation to ensure the safety of everyone present.”

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On October 16, during a public rally welcoming the candidate upon his arrival in the city of Nampula, an opposition stronghold, police fired on Mondlane’s supporters, wounding at least one person. At the rally, police also arrested David Calisto Bandeira, a musician and prominent supporter of the opposition party PODEMOS. Police accused Bandeira of inciting violence with his pro-PODEMOS songs.

Regardless of who wins the election, the Mozambican police must respect people’s right to peaceful assembly.

Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa

Supporters of Mondlane and PODEMOS have been protesting since October 12, when partial results showed the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, leading in Nampula province and elsewhere.

On October 10, a day after the elections, police also shot and killed two more people at polling stations in Baundua town in Buzi district of Sofala province and George Dimitrov district in the capital Maputo.

Mondlane has called for a nationwide strike on October 21st because of irregularities in the election campaign, voting and counting.