Latest news with #Mondlane
The Hill
15-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Mozambique carried out a brutal crackdown on post-election protests, Amnesty says
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Mozambique's security forces carried out a brutal, three-month crackdown on protesters after the country's election last year, a leading international rights group said Wednesday, citing local activists who alleged that more than 300 people were killed and more than 3,000 were injured in the unrest. In its new report, Amnesty International called on Mozambican authorities to investigate the killings and all rights violations in the wake of the election, and to bring law enforcement officials responsible to justice. Thousands of Mozambicans took part in waves of protests in the weeks after the Oct. 9 presidential and parliamentary election, where Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner amid allegations of rigging and election fraud raised by his challengers and international observers. The protests were in support of Venancio Mondlane, who ran as an independent candidate but was supported by the opposition Podemos party. The demonstrations intensified after the Oct. 18 killing of Mondlane's lawyer and a Podemos official, who were fatally shot by gunmen late at night while sitting in a car in Mozambique's capital, Maputo. Mondlane denounced the slayings as a political assassination and called for 25 days of protests — one day for each of the 25 bullets that were fired at the car. Mondlane, citing fears for his own safety, left the country for two months but returned in January. According to Amnesty's report, between Oct. 21 and Jan. 25, the Mozambique police and army used deadly force against largely peaceful marches and gatherings, shooting live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at protesters and bystanders. Amnesty cited the Mozambican civil society group Plataforma DECIDE, which said 315 people died in the protests between Oct. 21 and Jan. 16 — a toll that far exceeded numbers that authorities have acknowledged. Police said in January that 96 people were killed in the protests during the three-month time period, including 17 officers. 'Police unlawfully used firearms and less lethal weapons, killing and injuring protesters and bystanders,' Amnesty said. 'The army also used force and less lethal weapons recklessly and unlawfully.' Amnesty said its report was based on interviews with 28 people, including eyewitnesses, victims, victims' relatives, doctors and lawyers. Other rights groups have reported that at least 10 children were among those killed in the protests. Police carried out mass arrests of protesters and bystanders, including teenagers, Amnesty said. Plataforma DECIDE said more than 4,000 people were arrested, most of them arbitrarily. Amnesty also said it has evidence suggesting that Mozambican internet providers restricted access to social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram and the messaging service WhatsApp 'at key moments during the protests.' In January, Chapo was sworn in as president. He and Mondlane met in March in an attempt at mediation, with the president promising to investigate protest deaths. The Frelimo party has ruled Mozambique since independence from colonial ruler Portugal in 1975 and has often been accused of rigging elections by putting officials loyal to it in charge of electoral processes. A report by election observers from the European Union said last year's vote was marred by deliberate invalidation of opposition votes and alteration of polling results, as well as ballot box stuffing in favor of Frelimo. Mozambican politics have been largely framed by a 15-year civil war between Frelimo and rebel group Renamo, which ended in 1992, with the rebel group later becoming an opposition party. The protests in support of Mondlane, previously a member of the Renamo party, were the largest threat to Frelimo's rule. Protests died down after the crackdown but violence still persists. Mondlane this week visited the port city of Quelimane, where gunmen on Sunday shot one of his main campaign organizers, Joel Amaral. He was shot three times, including once in the head, but survived and remains in an intensive care unit in the hospital.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Mozambique carried out a brutal crackdown on post-election protests, Amnesty says
Mozambique 's security forces carried out a brutal, three-month crackdown on protesters after the country's election last year, a leading international rights group said Wednesday, citing local activists who alleged that more than 300 people were killed and more than 3,000 were injured in the unrest. In its new report, Amnesty International called on Mozambican authorities to investigate the killings and all rights violations in the wake of the election, and to bring law enforcement officials responsible to justice. Thousands of Mozambicans took part in waves of protests in the weeks after the Oct. 9 presidential and parliamentary election, where Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner amid allegations of rigging and election fraud raised by his challengers and international observers. The protests were in support of Venancio Mondlane, who ran as an independent candidate but was supported by the opposition Podemos party. The demonstrations intensified after the Oct. 18 killing of Mondlane's lawyer and a Podemos official, who were fatally shot by gunmen late at night while sitting in a car in Mozambique's capital, Maputo. Mondlane denounced the slayings as a political assassination and called for 25 days of protests — one day for each of the 25 bullets that were fired at the car. Mondlane, citing fears for his own safety, left the country for two months but returned in January. According to Amnesty's report, between Oct. 21 and Jan. 25, the Mozambique police and army used deadly force against largely peaceful marches and gatherings, shooting live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at protesters and bystanders. Amnesty cited the Mozambican civil society group Plataforma DECIDE, which said 315 people died in the protests between Oct. 21 and Jan. 16 — a toll that far exceeded numbers that authorities have acknowledged. Police said in January that 96 people were killed in the protests during the three-month time period, including 17 officers. "Police unlawfully used firearms and less lethal weapons, killing and injuring protesters and bystanders,' Amnesty said. 'The army also used force and less lethal weapons recklessly and unlawfully.' Amnesty said its report was based on interviews with 28 people, including eyewitnesses, victims, victims' relatives, doctors and lawyers. Other rights groups have reported that at least 10 children were among those killed in the protests. Police carried out mass arrests of protesters and bystanders, including teenagers, Amnesty said. Plataforma DECIDE said more than 4,000 people were arrested, most of them arbitrarily. Amnesty also said it has evidence suggesting that Mozambican internet providers restricted access to social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram and the messaging service WhatsApp 'at key moments during the protests.' In January, Chapo was sworn in as president. He and Mondlane met in March in an attempt at mediation, with the president promising to investigate protest deaths. The Frelimo party has ruled Mozambique since independence from colonial ruler Portugal in 1975 and has often been accused of rigging elections by putting officials loyal to it in charge of electoral processes. A report by election observers from the European Union said last year's vote was marred by deliberate invalidation of opposition votes and alteration of polling results, as well as ballot box stuffing in favor of Frelimo. Mozambican politics have been largely framed by a 15-year civil war between Frelimo and rebel group Renamo, which ended in 1992, with the rebel group later becoming an opposition party. The protests in support of Mondlane, previously a member of the Renamo party, were the largest threat to Frelimo's rule. Protests died down after the crackdown but violence still persists. Mondlane this week visited the port city of Quelimane, where gunmen on Sunday shot one of his main campaign organizers, Joel Amaral. He was shot three times, including once in the head, but survived and remains in an intensive care unit in the hospital. ___ ___
Associated Press
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Mozambique carried out a brutal crackdown on post-election protests, Amnesty says
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Mozambique's security forces carried out a brutal, three-month crackdown on protesters after the country's election last year, a leading international rights group said Wednesday, citing local activists who alleged that more than 300 people were killed and more than 3,000 were injured in the unrest. In its new report, Amnesty International called on Mozambican authorities to investigate the killings and all rights violations in the wake of the election, and to bring law enforcement officials responsible to justice. Thousands of Mozambicans took part in waves of protests in the weeks after the Oct. 9 presidential and parliamentary election, where Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner amid allegations of rigging and election fraud raised by his challengers and international observers. The protests were in support of Venancio Mondlane, who ran as an independent candidate but was supported by the opposition Podemos party. The demonstrations intensified after the Oct. 18 killing of Mondlane's lawyer and a Podemos official, who were fatally shot by gunmen late at night while sitting in a car in Mozambique's capital, Maputo. Mondlane denounced the slayings as a political assassination and called for 25 days of protests — one day for each of the 25 bullets that were fired at the car. Mondlane, citing fears for his own safety, left the country for two months but returned in January. According to Amnesty's report, between Oct. 21 and Jan. 25, the Mozambique police and army used deadly force against largely peaceful marches and gatherings, shooting live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at protesters and bystanders. Amnesty cited the Mozambican civil society group Plataforma DECIDE, which said 315 people died in the protests between Oct. 21 and Jan. 16 — a toll that far exceeded numbers that authorities have acknowledged. Police said in January that 96 people were killed in the protests during the three-month time period, including 17 officers. 'Police unlawfully used firearms and less lethal weapons, killing and injuring protesters and bystanders,' Amnesty said. 'The army also used force and less lethal weapons recklessly and unlawfully.' Amnesty said its report was based on interviews with 28 people, including eyewitnesses, victims, victims' relatives, doctors and lawyers. Other rights groups have reported that at least 10 children were among those killed in the protests. Police carried out mass arrests of protesters and bystanders, including teenagers, Amnesty said. Plataforma DECIDE said more than 4,000 people were arrested, most of them arbitrarily. Amnesty also said it has evidence suggesting that Mozambican internet providers restricted access to social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram and the messaging service WhatsApp 'at key moments during the protests.' In January, Chapo was sworn in as president. He and Mondlane met in March in an attempt at mediation, with the president promising to investigate protest deaths. The Frelimo party has ruled Mozambique since independence from colonial ruler Portugal in 1975 and has often been accused of rigging elections by putting officials loyal to it in charge of electoral processes. A report by election observers from the European Union said last year's vote was marred by deliberate invalidation of opposition votes and alteration of polling results, as well as ballot box stuffing in favor of Frelimo. Mozambican politics have been largely framed by a 15-year civil war between Frelimo and rebel group Renamo, which ended in 1992, with the rebel group later becoming an opposition party. The protests in support of Mondlane, previously a member of the Renamo party, were the largest threat to Frelimo's rule. Protests died down after the crackdown but violence still persists. Mondlane this week visited the port city of Quelimane, where gunmen on Sunday shot one of his main campaign organizers, Joel Amaral. He was shot three times, including once in the head, but survived and remains in an intensive care unit in the hospital. ___ Mangwiro reported from Maputo, Mozambique. ___ AP Africa news:
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mozambique carried out a brutal crackdown on post-election protests, Amnesty says
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Mozambique's security forces carried out a brutal, three-month crackdown on protesters after the country's election last year, a leading international rights group said Wednesday, citing local activists who alleged that more than 300 people were killed and more than 3,000 were injured in the unrest. In its new report, Amnesty International called on Mozambican authorities to investigate the killings and all rights violations in the wake of the election, and to bring law enforcement officials responsible to justice. Thousands of Mozambicans took part in waves of protests in the weeks after the Oct. 9 presidential and parliamentary election, where Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner amid allegations of rigging and election fraud raised by his challengers and international observers. The protests were in support of Venancio Mondlane, who ran as an independent candidate but was supported by the opposition Podemos party. The demonstrations intensified after the Oct. 18 killing of Mondlane's lawyer and a Podemos official, who were fatally shot by gunmen late at night while sitting in a car in Mozambique's capital, Maputo. Mondlane denounced the slayings as a political assassination and called for 25 days of protests — one day for each of the 25 bullets that were fired at the car. Mondlane, citing fears for his own safety, left the country for two months but returned in January. According to Amnesty's report, between Oct. 21 and Jan. 25, the Mozambique police and army used deadly force against largely peaceful marches and gatherings, shooting live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at protesters and bystanders. Amnesty cited the Mozambican civil society group Plataforma DECIDE, which said 315 people died in the protests between Oct. 21 and Jan. 16 — a toll that far exceeded numbers that authorities have acknowledged. Police said in January that 96 people were killed in the protests during the three-month time period, including 17 officers. "Police unlawfully used firearms and less lethal weapons, killing and injuring protesters and bystanders,' Amnesty said. 'The army also used force and less lethal weapons recklessly and unlawfully.' Amnesty said its report was based on interviews with 28 people, including eyewitnesses, victims, victims' relatives, doctors and lawyers. Other rights groups have reported that at least 10 children were among those killed in the protests. Police carried out mass arrests of protesters and bystanders, including teenagers, Amnesty said. Plataforma DECIDE said more than 4,000 people were arrested, most of them arbitrarily. Amnesty also said it has evidence suggesting that Mozambican internet providers restricted access to social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram and the messaging service WhatsApp 'at key moments during the protests.' In January, Chapo was sworn in as president. He and Mondlane met in March in an attempt at mediation, with the president promising to investigate protest deaths. The Frelimo party has ruled Mozambique since independence from colonial ruler Portugal in 1975 and has often been accused of rigging elections by putting officials loyal to it in charge of electoral processes. A report by election observers from the European Union said last year's vote was marred by deliberate invalidation of opposition votes and alteration of polling results, as well as ballot box stuffing in favor of Frelimo. Mozambican politics have been largely framed by a 15-year civil war between Frelimo and rebel group Renamo, which ended in 1992, with the rebel group later becoming an opposition party. The protests in support of Mondlane, previously a member of the Renamo party, were the largest threat to Frelimo's rule. Protests died down after the crackdown but violence still persists. Mondlane this week visited the port city of Quelimane, where gunmen on Sunday shot one of his main campaign organizers, Joel Amaral. He was shot three times, including once in the head, but survived and remains in an intensive care unit in the hospital. ___ Mangwiro reported from Maputo, Mozambique. ___ AP Africa news:
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mozambique Opposition Head Says He And President Agree to Peace
(Bloomberg) -- Mozambique's most prominent opposition leader, who's orchestrated months of demonstrations that have battered the country's economy, said he agreed with the president to end post-election violence that's left hundreds of people dead. They Built a Secret Apartment in a Mall. Now the Mall Is Dying. Why Did the Government Declare War on My Adorable Tiny Truck? Chicago Transit Faces 'Doomsday Scenario,' Regional Agency Says LA Faces $1 Billion Budget Hole, Warns of Thousands of Layoffs Libraries Warn They Could Be 'Cut off at the Knees' by DOGE Venâncio Mondlane, who officially came second to the ruling party's Daniel Chapo in October's presidential election, said the two reached a deal-in-principle at a meeting in Maputo, the capital, on Sunday. 'We agreed to end violence immediately — violence against my supporters, violence inflicted upon police officers, members of the ruling party Frelimo, or any other individuals who do not share our ideas,' Mondlane said of the meeting in a livestream late Monday. 'We agreed 100% on that.' The informal truce marks the most important step in restoring social and political stability in the gas-rich southeast African nation, after months of unprecedented protests against the election that extended the ruling party's five-decade rule. The unrest has unsettled investors and squeezed the government's already tight finances, as the economy shrank in the final quarter of 2024. While Chapo met other party leaders earlier this month and reached an initial agreement with them over a path to peace, Mondlane's exclusion from those discussions raised doubts over its impact. He's by far the most popular opposition figure, and the driving force behind the protests. 'The significance of Mr. Chapo's meeting with Mr. Mondlane cannot be overstated,' Louw Nel, an analyst at Oxford Economics, said in a note to clients Monday. 'Images of a smiling Mr. Mondlane shaking a smiling Mr. Chapo's hand on Sunday were particularly striking.' Google Is Searching for an Answer to ChatGPT The Richest Americans Kept the Economy Booming. What Happens When They Stop Spending? A New 'China Shock' Is Destroying Jobs Around the World How TD Became America's Most Convenient Bank for Money Launderers Tesla's Gamble on MAGA Customers Won't Work ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
