Call for end of crackdown on Mozambique protesters

Rights group, Amnesty International, is calling on the Mozambican government to stop its violent crackdown on post-election protestors.

Tensions continue to rise in South Africa’s neighbouring country as protests continue following last month’s disputed presidential election.

Members of opposition parties in the country are unhappy over Frelimo’s October landslide victory.

They accuse the party that has been in power since 1975 of ballot stuffing, manipulating voter lists and staffing polling stations with officials loyal to it.

Social media videos have been circulating showing the devastating events in Mozambique, which rights groups say have left about 20 people dead, and scores of others injured.

The videos also show clashes between citizens and the police.

 

Amnesty International has expressed concern over the violence and is urging authorities to allow opposition supporters to voice their opinions freely without any repressive response.

Speaking to YNews, the organisation’s Chidia Chissungo also called on the Mozambican government to step in before more people lose their lives.

 

Chissungo explains the situation on the ground in the southern African country as fears of the situation escalating grow.

Chissungo has called on the international community to assist the country and its citizens.

She says the children are also heavily affected by what is happening in the country.

In South Africa, the Border Management Authority, once again, closed the Lebombo Border Post, and heightened security around it as tensions escalate.

The port of entry was also shut down after vehicles were torched on the Mozambican side, which forced 15 Mozambican port officials to seek refuge in neighbouring South Africa.

Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Michael Masiapato, says the border will be reopened once safety is restored.

South Africa’s foreign ministry has meanwhile advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Mozambique until things calm down.

According to Human Rights Watch, the internet in Maputo is being restricted and social media sites have been blocked.

“The Mozambique government’s arbitrary restrictions on internet access violate human rights and should be lifted immediately,” says Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, Allan Ngari.

“The shutdown inhibits people’s ability to receive and use life-saving information, to assemble peacefully, and to express their political opinions in a time of crisis.”

Social media users have weighed in on the situation.

#Africa we can do better than this. Why are authorities finding it so difficult to allow citizens freedom of expression and for real democracy to take root? | #MozambiqueElections #MozambiqueProtests #Mozambique https://t.co/e0hVMPYFN3

— Peter Ndoro (@peterndoro) November 7, 2024

#ElonMusk#PRAYFORMOZAMBIQUE#FreeMozambique#Sos_Mozambique#MozambiqueElections #MozambiqueProtests #Mozambique#HumansRightsMatter https://t.co/Ku3KCgWqqB

— ¡AIKIDO! (@ALutaContinuaMZ) November 7, 2024

HUMAN RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED IN MOZAMBIQUE!#FreeMozambique

— The BackStreet Boy (@HilberVoight) November 7, 2024

In a time of turmoil, the Mozambique army’s alignment with the people’s protests against electoral fraud demonstrates a commendable commitment to justice and democracy. As citizens rally for their rights amidst tyranny, the army’s support signals hope. https://t.co/V0qS0GCl9a

— 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼-𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮 (@DongoShema) November 7, 2024

Questions for purely learning purposes!!@Jamwanda2 @matigary
Whatever is happening in Mozambique- the post election demos & anti-rioting reaction(which is still within Police control in my opinion), does this warrant external mediators? Where are the Elders – the Chissanos?

— Chief Svosve II (@SvosveII) November 7, 2024

POVO NO PODER#mozambique#freemozambique @BBCNews@GloboNews@dwnews@recordnews@bbcbrasil@BBCAfrica@NBCNews@AlJazeera@SABCNews@ABC@RTPAfrica @elon https://t.co/Umqwgxs6WQ

— 🚨STONER Out Now🚨 (@SlangHS) November 7, 2024

Together, we rise. Together, we change Mozambique. For freedom, for democracy, for our future. 🇲🇿🇲🇿✊🏿✊🏻#MozambiqueProtests pic.twitter.com/QCotaQQhCm

— michel (@michelonesio) November 7, 2024

Mozambican Bar Association, Doctors Association and Nurses Association are serving the country so well. They are sacrificing their lives even their Careers to defend the people. They are taking it to the extra level. It gives us hope. We can fix the country 🇲🇿#FreeMozambique

— Cídia Chissungo (@Cidiachissungo) November 7, 2024