More than 1,500 inmates, including 29 convicted terrorists, escaped from Maputo Central Prison, a maximum-security facility, in what authorities described as a premeditated act linked to ongoing post-election protests. The mass prison break, which occurred on the afternoon of December 25, has intensified security concerns in Mozambique.
General Commander Bernardino Rafael of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) reported that protesters stormed the prison, creating chaos that led to the escape. Among the escapees, only 150 have been recaptured so far. Rafael warned of an imminent rise in criminal activity in Maputo and expressed alarm over the release of dangerous individuals, emphasizing the threat to national security.
The escape unfolded in Matola, located 14 kilometers from Maputo, around 1:00 PM local time. Protesters outside the prison demanded the release of inmates, creating disturbances that caused unrest within the facility. This led to the collapse of a prison wall, enabling the breakout. Prison officers attempted to intervene, resulting in a deadly clash that left 33 prisoners dead and 15 others injured.
This incident was not isolated. Within the last 24 hours, protesters freed inmates from another prison in Manhiça, north of Maputo province, and attempted a similar operation at Mabalane Prison. Rafael criticized these actions, stating that their intent to release convicted criminals remains unexplained.
The prison break comes amid widespread unrest following Mozambique’s general elections. Protests erupted after the Constitutional Council declared Daniel Chapo, the ruling party’s candidate, the winner with 65.17% of the votes. Supporters of opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who officially garnered 24%, took to the streets in outrage. Demonstrations escalated into looting, barricades, and violent clashes with police across the country.
The unrest has resulted in at least 56 deaths since Monday, December 23 according to the monitoring group Decide. Most fatalities occurred in Sofala province, Nampula, and the Maputo region. Additionally, 152 people sustained gunshot injuries as security forces attempted to disperse crowds.
Mozambique now faces a dual crisis: political turmoil stemming from the disputed election results and the security risks posed by the mass escape of inmates. Authorities are working to address the escalating challenges while calling for public cooperation to recapture the fugitives.