Mozambique’s opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, announced plans to temporarily suspend post-election protests for five days to allow international organizations to investigate alleged human rights abuses by security forces.
Protests erupted after the October 2024 election, in which the ruling FRELIMO party’s Daniel Chapo was declared president with 71% of the vote. Mondlane, who claims to have won the election, initiated demonstrations challenging the results. The Constitutional Council later reduced Chapo’s victory margin to 65%, further fueling unrest.
Since the protests began, at least 277 people have died, primarily from security forces’ gunfire, according to election monitoring group Plataforma DECIDE. Violent incidents include a recent jailbreak in Matola, where 33 people were killed, and over 1,500 prisoners escaped, including 29 classified as dangerous terrorists.
The ongoing crisis has displaced thousands, with 3,000 Mozambicans seeking refuge in neighboring Malawi, disrupting fuel supplies and regional stability. South Africa has heightened border security and sent a special envoy to Mozambique to address the escalating violence.
Mondlane is expected to outline the next phase of protests soon, as the country remains gripped by political turmoil and humanitarian challenges.