Mozambique’s largest hospital reported on Friday that three people were killed and 66 injured in clashes between police and protesters during mass demonstrations over disputed election results.
These fatalities add to a rising death toll, which includes at least 18 lives lost in earlier protests since the contentious October 9 election.
Opposition leaders, alleging that the election was marred by widespread rigging, claim that the official tally does not reflect the people’s vote.
Some civil society organizations, like the Mozambique Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, estimate an even higher death toll, reporting up to 34 casualties across recent protests.
The protests, held in Mozambique’s capital Maputo, were among the largest the country has seen, with thousands of demonstrators voicing discontent against the ruling Frelimo party.
Frelimo, in power since Mozambique’s independence in 1975, was declared the election winner by a wide margin, a result that opposition groups reject as fraudulent.
On Thursday, protestors blocked roads with burning tires, threw rocks, and chanted “Frelimo must fall” as a sign of resistance against the political establishment.
The clashes escalated as police attempted to disperse the crowds, reportedly firing in the direction of protestors.
Hospital officials stated that most of the injuries appeared to be caused by gunfire, with 57 of the wounded possibly struck by bullets.
Among those injured were young people aged 15 to 35, with cases involving firearm wounds, blunt force trauma, and injuries from sharp objects.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the police’s response, with allegations that officers used excessive force, including live ammunition, against protestors.
Mozambique’s interior minister defended the police, asserting that they acted within the law to restore public order in the face of mounting civil unrest.
Meanwhile, international election observers and local civil society groups criticized the election process, describing it as failing to meet basic democratic standards.
The Constitutional Council of Mozambique has since requested clarification from the electoral commission regarding discrepancies in the vote count.
Despite mounting calls for accountability and transparency, Frelimo has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The political tension and social unrest highlight growing dissatisfaction with Frelimo’s governance, as citizens and civil society demand fair elections and accountability.
As the protests continue, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns that the political crisis could further destabilize the nation.
