More than 1,500 inmates have escaped from a prison in Mozambique, taking advantage of political unrest sparked by disputed election results, according to police reports.
The escape followed violent clashes between protesters and guards, resulting in 33 deaths and 15 injuries, as confirmed by police chief Bernardino Rafael. Since the incident, around 150 fugitives have been recaptured.
The unrest erupted after Mozambique’s highest court confirmed that the ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power since 1975, won October’s presidential elections.
Protesters took to the streets on Monday in response to the court’s decision, which revised the victory margin of Frelimo’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, from an initial 71% to 65%.
On Wednesday, groups of anti-government protesters approached the prison in the capital, Maputo, allowing inmates to breach the walls and escape amid the turmoil.
Since the disputed elections, Mozambique has faced intense unrest, with businesses shuttered and the city of Maputo resembling a ghost town on Christmas Eve, as residents stayed home to avoid the escalating violence.
Frelimo’s offices, police stations, banks and factories have been looted, vandalised and set ablaze around the country. Since Monday, at least 21 people have been killed in the unrest, the interior minister said late on Tuesday.
Mondlane, who has since fled Mozambique, had been calling on his supporters to demonstrate against what he said was a rigged vote.
In a weekend social media message, he said there could be a “new popular uprising” if the result was not overturned.
About 150 people have been killed in three months of protests since the elections.
