Mozambican police opened fire on supporters of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane as they marched on March 5 in the capital, Maputo, resulting in at least 10 injuries, according to Mondlane’s team and human rights groups.
The protest occurred yesterday just hours before President Daniel Chapo signed an agreement with some political parties aimed at addressing ongoing protests related to his controversial election victory. Mondlane, who came second in the presidential race, was excluded from the discussions and the resulting agreement, which is intended to review Mozambique’s electoral laws.
The police’s action to disperse the march left Mondlane’s whereabouts unknown, with his team stating that 16 individuals had been injured during the crackdown. A video posted on Mondlane’s Facebook page showed him earlier in the day surrounded by a crowd before gunshots were heard, and the broadcast abruptly cut off. Zenaida Machado, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, confirmed that at least 10 individuals were injured in the police response, describing the use of force against a peaceful gathering as detrimental to Mozambique’s stability.
Political analysts argue that the exclusion of Mondlane from the talks undermines any potential for meaningful progress, with many viewing the negotiations between Chapo’s government and other political parties as merely symbolic. Mondlane has continued to denounce the results of the 2023 election, claiming it was rigged by the ruling Frelimo party. He has vowed to persist in his anti-government protests, asserting that the fight for a fairer political system will continue, even if it takes years.