Mozambique Gripped by Post-Election Chaos: Death Toll Rises Amidst Protests and Prison Break

Maputo, Mozambique - Mozambique has been plunged into a state of turmoil following the recent announcement of the final results of the October 9 general elections, with the death toll from ensuing protests now reaching an alarming 261. The unrest, which has particularly escalated since Monday, has seen at least 134 people killed in just four days, according to the Mozambican NGO, electoral platform Decide.

The atmosphere in the capital, Maputo, and other regions has been tense, marked by widespread looting, vandalism, and the erection of barricades. The protests erupted after the Constitutional Council declared Daniel Chapo, backed by the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), the winner of the presidential race with 65.17% of the votes. This outcome has been fiercely contested by supporters of Venâncio Mondlane, the main opposition candidate who garnered 24% of the vote.

Violent Clashes and Casualties

The violence has not been confined to Maputo alone. The NGO's reports indicate significant casualties in Nampula and Sofala, with 34 and 33 deaths respectively since Monday. The total number of people shot since the protests began on October 21 now stands at 573, showcasing the severity of the law enforcement response to the demonstrations.

In addition to the fatalities, 4,199 individuals have been detained since the unrest started, with 161 more arrests since Monday, indicating a broad crackdown on the protesters.

Massive Prison Break Amidst Chaos

Compounding the chaos, on Wednesday, an unprecedented event unfolded at the Central Prison of Maputo when 1,534 inmates escaped during what has been described as a riot. The general police commander, Bernardino Rafael, labeled the escape as "premeditated" by protesters, suggesting it was a strategic move by those opposing the election results. However, the Minister of Justice, Helena Kida, contradicted this narrative, attributing the escape to internal prison unrest not directly linked to the protests.

Venâncio Mondlane took to social media to accuse the government of orchestrating the prison break as a distraction from the alleged election fraud. He described it as a tactic reminiscent of Soviet-era secret service manipulations to shift public focus away from political grievances.

Calls for Continued Protests

Despite the rising violence and the complex situation with the prison escape, Mondlane has urged his supporters to intensify their protests but to focus their actions on institutions he accuses of being responsible for electoral fraud, rather than causing harm to public or private property. He emphasized a peaceful approach to civil disobedience, aiming to maintain public support while challenging the legitimacy of the election results.

Looking Ahead

The situation in Mozambique remains volatile with the potential for further escalation. The escapees from the prison, including 29 described as "terrorists" by the police, pose an additional security challenge. Bernardino Rafael has warned of an expected "sharp rise in all kinds of crime" in the next 48 hours, highlighting the immediate repercussions of the prison break.

As Mozambique navigates through this crisis, international attention is focused on how the government will handle the protests, address the allegations of electoral fraud, and manage the fallout from the prison escape. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the country can return to stability or if the unrest will deepen further.

Source: This article's information is based on reports from the Mozambican NGO Decide and statements from government officials and opposition leaders.