Violence Against Opposition in Mozambique Intensifies Ahead of Election Protests

In Mozambique, gunmen assassinated two opposition officials, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, prior to protests against disputed election results. The incident occurred in the capital, Maputo, where allegations of electoral fraud and political violence have escalated amid rising tensions leading up to the October elections. The Podemos party has condemned the killings as political assassinations, further complicating the already fraught electoral environment.

Gunmen in Mozambique targeted and killed two officials from the opposition Podemos party late on Friday night in the capital city of Maputo, amid rising tensions surrounding the disputed election results. The victims included Elvino Dias, the party’s lawyer, and Paulo Guambe, a party representative. Reports indicate that the attackers pursued the victims’ vehicle, firing multiple shots that ultimately fatally wounded them. The incident occurred just before planned protests against the election results, which have been tainted by allegations of vote-rigging and suppression of dissent against the longstanding ruling party, Frelimo. Footage circulating on social media captured a BMW SUV riddled with bullet holes, with the bodies of the deceased visibly slumped in the front seats. In the wake of these murders, the Podemos party has labeled the act a blatant political assassination and has called for a nationwide strike. Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, condemned the act, emphasizing the systematic lack of justice facing opposition figures in the country. Human Rights Watch corroborated reports of the attack, highlighting the ongoing climate of violence and intimidation surrounding the elections set for an October 9 vote, where provisional results suggest Frelimo is poised for victory.

The political landscape in Mozambique has become increasingly volatile ahead of elections that have been marred by allegations of electoral fraud. The Frelimo party, which has been at the helm since the introduction of democracy in 1994, faces significant opposition from parties such as Podemos. Human rights organizations have raised concerns regarding the conduct of the elections, citing instances of intimidation, vote-buying, and inflated voter rolls. The backdrop of these tensions is compounded by widespread insecurity and humanitarian crises, including drought-induced hunger affecting significant portions of the population. The killings of the Podemos officials serve as a stark reminder of the threats facing opposition figures in Mozambique. As the nation anticipates the final election results on October 24, fears surrounding possible violent protests loom overhead, particularly following the history of forceful crackdowns by security forces on political demonstrators.

The assassination of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe highlights the escalating violence against opposition figures in Mozambique in the context of a controversial electoral process. With the ruling Frelimo party facing serious accusations of electoral misconduct, the political climate remains tense as the nation braces itself for possible protests. The situation underscores a critical need for accountability and protection of democratic principles in Mozambique’s evolving political landscape.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com