Catholic Entity Fears for Violence Escalation in Mozambique Following Contested Elections

The October 11 elections were reportedly marred by pre-election violence and reports of intimidation. Ballot boxes are said to have been filled before voting started. There was also violence during and after voting in various centers. 

Mr. Viljoen told ACI Africa that in Chiure, a district in the northern province of Cabo Delgado,  a young person was shot dead by the police when they opened fire on a crowd that had already gathered to celebrate the victory of an opposition candidate.

Frelimo currently controls 44 municipalities while the main opposition Renamo has eight, including Nampula and Quelimane. MDM’s stronghold is Beira.

Frelimo has won every national election since the end of the civil war, and besides some pockets of support for opposition parties, neither Renamo nor the MDM has proven able to challenge Frelimo. 

According to Crisis 24, elections in Mozambique have “consistently been tainted with allegations of voter fraud by opposition parties and international observers.”

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“Election periods have consistently proven disruptive. Clashes between opposing supporters and with police are relatively common,” reads the Crisis 24 report.

In the October 13 interview with ACI Africa, Mr. Viljoen said that election-related violence in Mozambique was foreseen.

“The violence in Mozambique is not surprising,” the DHPI official said, and added, “The ruling party in the country has made it clear that they are determined to cling to power at any cost. They said it even before the elections. They said that they are determined to take back the local government councils that were in opposition.”

He said that the opposition in Mozambique has, in the past, had landslide victories in places such as Beira, Nacala, Nampula, and that the ruling party now wants to take these places as well.

“Nacala and Napula, for instance, have always been Renamo strongholds while Beira was always a stronghold of the MDM. Now, even though we don't have official results yet, it is reported that Frelimo has won in Nacala and Nampula,” Mr. Viljoen said.

He continued, “The people in Mozambique are tired of decades of war, poverty and corruption, and they want change.”

Meanwhile, Crisis 24 has called for vigilance while operating in Mozambique, noting that it is unclear when the October 11 election results will be announced.

“Protests and clashes between Frelimo, Renamo, and MDM supporters, as well as with security forces, are likely,” the agency has said, noting that protests in Mozambique are especially likely in opposition-controlled municipalities.

Those in Mozambique have therefore been advised to avoid all gatherings, political events, and election-related activities, as well as concentrations of security forces.

Crisis 24 has also advised civilians to exercise caution near police offices, and government buildings, saying, “If clashes break out, leave the area immediately and take shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building.”

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Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.