Bernadino Rafael, Mozambique’s police chief since 2017, has been dismissed by the country’s new president, Daniel Chapo, amid allegations of human rights abuses during and after the disputed October elections.
Rafael has faced accusations from opposition figures of collaborating with criminal groups to kidnap and kill civilian protesters. He denies the claims, stating that those killed were either attacking police or caught in stray gunfire.
President Chapo, who took office last week, announced Rafael’s dismissal on Thursday, marking the first major security reform of his presidency. The move comes as Chapo faces mounting pressure to restore public trust and stabilize Mozambique’s economy after months of unrest.
Mozambique is grappling with one of its worst post-election crises since independence. Widespread protests erupted after allegations of election fraud, with the ruling Frelimo party being declared the winner, extending its nearly 50-year reign. Civil society groups report that over 300 people have been killed during the unrest, though Rafael claims the death toll is closer to 96, including 17 police officers.
Human rights organizations have accused elite police units, such as the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic), of infiltrating protests, conducting house raids, and carrying out arbitrary arrests and killings. Sernic has not commented on these allegations.
The police force has also denied involvement in the daylight killings of two political aides, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, who worked for opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane. Mondlane, who claims he is the rightful winner of the October election, has led protests despite facing threats to his life.
Rafael has been replaced by Joaquim Sive, a former provincial police chief for Sofala and Nampula. Sive himself faced suspension in 2019 after 10 people died in a stampede at a Frelimo rally in Nampula.
President Chapo’s decision is seen as a crucial step in addressing the crisis, but analysts suggest that much more will be needed to rebuild trust and bring stability to the nation.