The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) reported escalating violence in Mozambique on Monday, where police have killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more during post-election protests.
Since holding general elections on October 9, the country has been engulfed in widespread protests rejecting the preliminary victory announcement for the ruling party, Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (FRELIMO). Opposition groups aligned with independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane and the PODEMOS party allege significant irregularities in the election process, fueling unrest across the nation.
The protests, initially peaceful, erupted into violent confrontations as security forces reportedly used live bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Clashes intensified on October 24 and 25, with security forces firing indiscriminately into crowds, injuring scores of protesters, including children and non-participants in nearby residential areas. Human Rights Watch, which interviewed victims and witnesses, reported that over 50 people sustained serious injuries from gunshots, while several young children inhaled tear gas when police fired into homes.
According to the FIDH and CDD, at least 452 people have been detained during the protests, with many allegedly having no involvement in the demonstrations. Several detainees include minors and vulnerable individuals who now face restricted access to legal representation. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that access to legal aid has been systematically obstructed, with police reportedly denying lawyers access to detainees and preventing oversight from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The African Union, United Nations, and European Union have all condemned the escalating violence, calling on Mozambican authorities to respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and refrain from using excessive force. Mozambique’s Constitution enshrines the right to peaceful protest, yet recent events expose a country torn by political strife and at the brink of humanitarian crisis. Amnesty International also criticized the government’s crackdown, demanding accountability for human rights violations and justice for the victims.
