The governments of the United States, Britain, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland have issued a joint condemnation of the escalating violence against civilians in Mozambique, as the southern African nation endures a wave of protests following contentious election results.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the five countries urged Mozambique’s government to ensure that its security forces prioritize the protection of the civilian population. The international call comes amid rising public discontent after opposition groups accused the ruling Frelimo party of fraud in last month’s election.
Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since its independence from Portugal in 1975, extended its dominance with Daniel Chapo’s victory, who succeeded outgoing President Filipe Nyusi to become the country’s fifth president.
Tensions flared when footage surfaced on social media Wednesday, showing an armored vehicle running over a woman during a protest in Maputo, the capital. The Mozambican military responded by expressing regret, attributing the incident to an accidental collision involving a vehicle from a properly marked convoy. The embassies of the five condemning nations have called for a full investigation into the matter.
Local human rights group Plataforma Decide reported that at least 67 people have been killed in the violence that has gripped the country since mid-October, highlighting the severity of the unrest.
The international community’s plea for accountability comes as Mozambique faces a critical moment in its post-election stability, with the ongoing violence threatening the country’s peace and social fabric.
