Police in Mozambique have fired tear gas in the capital Maputo to disperse people protesting against the government over alleged fraud in last month’s elections.
The demonstration on Thursday was the biggest yet against the governing Frelimo party, which was declared the winner of the October 9 election, extending its 49-year rule.
Large crowds of mostly young men barricaded streets with burning tyres and waved homemade signs in support of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who says the vote was rigged and had called for a week of protests culminating on Thursday.
As the protesters marched towards the city centre, police tried to stop them by using tear gas.
In an interview with AFP news agency, Mondlane who claims to be the actual winner of the election, said it was a “crucial moment” for the country.
“I feel that there is a revolutionary atmosphere … that shows that we are on the verge of a unique historical and political transition in the country,” said Mondlane, speaking from an undisclosed location.
The 50-year-old former radio presenter said he could not disclose his whereabouts other than to say he was not in Africa. He left Mozambique last month following the unrest. He initially said he would be at Thursday’s march, but on Wednesday told AFP he wouldn’t return after all due to safety concerns.
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The Mozambique Bar Association on Thursday warned there were “conditions for a bloodbath” as a heavy security presence was seen deployed across the capital.
“The approach of the police has been to try to stop the demonstrations by using tear gas and other weapons, and they have used live gunfire over the last two weeks on several occasions,” said Al Jazeera’s Malcolm Webb, reporting from Maputo, as burning roadblocks and smoke could be seen behind him.
“The police have said that protests are allowed and will be allowed to proceed as long as they are peaceful, but it seems even people marching peacefully have been violently dispersed,” Webb added.
Amnesty International says at least 20 people have been killed in protests since the election – a figure that the local NGO the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights puts at 24.
A police officer was also killed in a protest over the weekend, Defence Minister Cristovao Chume told reporters on Tuesday, warning the army could intervene “to protect the interests of the state”.
AFP.com
